'-The “Best 

HALLOWEEN BOOK 



Publishers — — — Chicago 


































































The BEST 

HALLOWEEN BOOK 


RECITATIONS, DIALOGUES, PLAYS, EXERCISES, 
DRILLS, DANCES, PANTOMIMES, 

SONGS, GAMES 


By 

LENORE K. DOLAN 

u 





BECKLEY-CARDY COMPANY 
CHICAGO 


.W 


3 o£ 

,‘IW 


Copyright, 1931, by 
BECKLEY-CARDY COMPANY 


Printed in the United States of America 


©CIA 44671 

m -7 | S3( 


CONTENTS 

RECITATIONS 

PAGE 

Halloween Welcome. 9 

Halloween Good Night. 9 

Is It? . 10 

October Thoughts .. 10 

My Choice .:. 11 

The Unbeliever . 12 

Halloween Signs . 13 

October Wood . 14 

Jolly Halloween . 15 

DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXERCISES 

Halloween Acrostic . 17 

Nine children 

The Right Kind. 18 

Three boys 

The Pumpkin Spirits.. 19 

Three boys 

Halloween Greetings. 20 

Five girls 

Which Is Best?. 21 

Two girls and a boy 

City Helpers. 23 

Three boys 

Modern Witches. 24 

Six girls 

3 


















4 


CONTENTS 


PAGE 


A Mother Goose Halloween. 26 

Five girls, one larger, and four boys 

Making Jack-o’-Lanterns.29 

Three boys 

Halloween at the Orphanage. 32 

Any number of children. Speaking parts for 
five girls, one larger, and three boys 

Colonial Jack-o'-Lanterns . 35 

Any number of children for group. Speaking 
parts for three girls and one boy 

Who Was Guilty?. 40 

One larger girl and two boys 

Halloween at tile Club. 45 

Six boys, one larger 

Health and Halloween. 49 

Any number of children. Speaking parts for 
four girls and three boys 

October . 55 

Any number of children. Speaking parts for 
five boys and one girl 

November Woods. 61 

Twenty-one girls and twenty boys 

A Quiet Halloween. 68 

Four girls and four boys 

Who Brought tile Harvest?. 76 

Twenty-one boys and sixteen girls 

The Spirit of Halloween. 86 

Any number of children. Speaking parts for 
five girls and two boys 

Who Made the Pie?. 97 

Three girls and three boys 















CONTENTS 


5 


PAGE 

The Month of Story-Books. 107 

Seventeen girls and fifteen boys 

Happy Halloween . 119 

Three little children and as many others as desired 

MARCH, DANCES, DRILL 

March of the Scarecrows. .. 121 

Any number of boys 

Dance of Indian Summer. 125 

Any number of boys and girls, or all boys 
or all girls 

The Clothespin Quickstep. 128 

Sight boys 

Frolicsome Fairies...<.. 131 

Four girls and four boys 

PANTOMIMES 

The Boy Who Disappeared. 135 

Any number of children 

Ten Little Goblin Elves. 136 

Ten children 

Crippled Jim’s Halloween . f . 139 

Any number of children 

SONGS 

Glad Halloween. 141 

You’re Welcome . 141 

Spooks .. 4 ... 142 

Autumn Moon . 143 

’Tis Halloween. 144 
















6 


CONTENTS 


PAGE 

Halloween Sounds. 144 

The Boy and the Owl. 145 

Good-by, Halloween . 146 

On Halloween . 147 

Oh, What a Jolly Time!. 143 

Halloween . 149 

Summer’s Gone . 150 

PARTIES, SOCIALS, GAMES 

The Halloween Party. 151 

Halloween Puzzle . 152 

Murder . 152 

Witches’ Pie. 153 

Scrambled Characters. 153 

The Witches’ Gift. 154 

Halloween Packing . 154 

Selecting Partners. 154 

Refreshments . 155 

The Halloween Social. 155 

The Candy Guess. 157 

Witches’ Booth . 157 

The Headless Ghost. 158 

Harvest Picture . 158 

Refreshments . 159 

Halloween Games. 159 

Tag the Witch. 159 

Roll the Beans. 159 

Treasure Hunt. 160 

Fortune Telling . 160 

Cat Tail.. 160 

Apple Game . 161 

Bobbing for Apples. 161 
































CONTENTS 7 

PAGE 

Apple-Seed Game . 161 

Blowing Out the Candle. 161 

The Ring Cake. 162 

Digging for Nuggets. 162 

Halloween Hide-and-Seek . 162 

Mind Reading . 162 

The Perilous Path. 163 

, Costume Contest . 164 

The Conspirators. 164 

Fortunes . 165 

Guess Who . 165 

Baby Show.. 166 

Snapdragon . 166 

Peanut or Bean Hunt. 166 

HALLOWEEN PROGRAMS 

Halloween at Dana, . 167 

A Halloween Corner . 171 

Suggested Program for a Halloween 

Entertainment . 172 

The Story of Halloween. 173 




















INTRODUCTION 


Many of the numbers in The Best Halloween Boole can be 
varied to suit the particular needs of the group by which they 
are used. In the dances, drills and pageants fewer or more 
characters may be introduced without altering the effective¬ 
ness of the number. 

Full directions for costuming are given in most cases. The 
amount of costuming will depend upon the time and money 
to be spent on the number. Costumes may be omitted, or 
a mere suggestion of the character represented may be worn, 
if the production is to be a simple one. Placards bearing 
the name of the character represented by each child may be 
used. It should be remembered, however, that costuming, 
scenery and lighting are important factors in presenting a 
really good entertainment. 

Where special talent in singing or dancing is available, 
solo numbers or duets may be used in place of the group 
numbers described. 

Careful consideration should be given each number before 
assigning the parts to the children, so that each child may 
receive the part which he can really do best. Clearly spoken 
parts, good posture and plenty of life must be insisted upon 
by the director, if the numbers are to be well received. 

All music needed for the production of these numbers is 
taken from the New Common-School Song Boole, which may 
be procured from the publishers of this book for 50 cents, 
postpaid. 

The Authok 


8 


The Best Halloween Book 


RECITATIONS 

HALLOWEEN WELCOME 

[For a small child to recite\ 

WeTe glad to welcome each of you 
To our social [or party] here to-night. 
We hope that you’ll be pleased, 

For we’ll try to do things right. 

But if we make a few mistakes, 

We hope you’ll excuse us, too; 

Because you see we really aren’t 
So big and smart as you. 


HALLOWEEN GOOD NIGHT 

The time has come to say good night 
To each of our kind friends here; 

We hope we’ve brought some smiles 
To you and not too much fear. 

For, after all, jolly Halloween 
Is made of more smiles than tears 
And we hope that you’ll be with us 
At our programs many, many years. 


9 


10 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


IS IT? 

Is that the wind a-howling 
Round about my window pane? 

Is that tapping, tapping made 
By the steady drop of rain? 

Is that rustling of leaves 
I hear outside of the door? 

Was that some one walking 

On the upstairs bedroom floor? 

Is that some one a-crying, 

Or was it just the hoot of owl? 
Was that some one moaning there, 
Or was it just the wind’s howl? 

These and other questions 
About things heard and seen 
Keep a-crowding in my mind 
Each year at Halloween. 

OCTOBER THOUGHTS 

Some people are very poetic— 

They speak of the, October sky; 
But my first autumnal thought 
Is of a great big pumpkin pie! 

You know the kind of pie I mean, 
The one that with goodness swells; 
And of the spices hidden within 
Its tempting fragrance only tells. 


RECITATIONS 


11 


And all across the top is seen 
A golden brown, delicious skin 

That only heightens the prospects 
Of the goodness placed within. 

Oh, the crust, a dainty morsel 
Fit for any king, I vow; 

Deep down within my very heart 
I wish I had some now. 

Harvest moons may be delightful, 
And so is the autumnal sky, 

But when October rolls around, 

My thoughts turn to pumpkin pie. 


MY CHOICE 

[Recitation for a lower-grade boy ] 

Now, Christmas is a lot of fun, 
When old Santa comes around, 

And Christmas trees and holly 
Deck ’most every store in town. 

I like'to hear the lovely carols 
And the tinkling of each bell; 

But there’s something coming now 
I like more than I can tell. 

Thanksgiving is a glorious day 
On which to thank our Lord 

For the blessings he has given, 

From out his lavish hoard. 


12 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


I like Grandma’s good dinner, too, 
On that bounteous fall day; 

But there’s another day, I’d pick. 

If I were to have my say. 

Old Halloween’s the day I like, 

With witches, owls and cats! 

I like the shaky scarecrows, 

With their queer old coats and hats! 

I like the jack-o’-lanterns, 

With faces funny as can be. 

In fact, I like, on Halloween, 

Every single thing I see. 


THE UNBELIEVER 

[Recitation for a small boy ] 

I don’t believe in ghosts, you know, 
But still, the other night. 

When everything was awfully quiet, 
I had an awful fright. 

Snug beneath the covers warm, 

I’d been tucked an hour or more, 

When I heard a rumbling racket, 
Something like a muffled snore. 

I wasn’t scared, but, oh, my heart 
Simply wouldn’t stop a-jumping! 

It bobbed about so in my bosom 
That my very head was thumping. 


RECITATIONS 


13 


Once again the grumbling, rumbling, 
Sounded and it nearer seemed; 

A light so white and scary-like 
Upon my chamber wall gleamed. 

Shadows seemed a-moving ’bout 
And I felt a smothering fear 

That I couldn’t shake till safe 
I was with Mother dear. 

Now I don’t believe in ghosts, you know, 
And I’m not scared of any sound; 

But I just don’t take chances 
When old Halloween’s around. 


HALLOWEEN SIGNS 

Have you ever seen, 

Upon gay Halloween, 

How brightly the stars do shine? 
Have you ever seen, 

Upon gay Halloween, 

How stately is each forest pine? 

The full moon above 
Looks down on its love, 

The beautiful world far below; 
As it sails on high 
In the blue-gray sky, 

It sends down its brightest glow. 


14 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


While the witches ride 
And the goblins hide 
All over the land and the sea, 

The black cats prowl 
And the night winds howl, 

As the children laugh in their glee. 

Did you ever know 
A time could go 
As quickly as gay Halloween, 

When witches and cats 
And goblins and bats 
Are everywhere sure to be seen? 

Then hip, hip hurrah! 

For Halloween gay 
The delight of each girl and boy; 
May ever it be 
For both you and me 
A time that all folks can enjoy! 


OCTOBER WOOD 

Have you ever seen the glories 
Of a gay October wood? 

Have you seen the oaks and maples 
Covered with a crimson hood? 

Have you searched for nuts of brown, 
When the frost was cracking nigh? 
Have you tramped for bittersweet, 
Out beneath an October sky? 


RECITATIONS 


15 


Have you ^een the golden pumpkins 
When they lay upon the ground? 

Have you stood beside the cornshocks, 
When the fall comes slyly round? 

Have you picked the clustered grapes 
From their place upon the vine? 

Have you seen the great, round moon 
Rise behind a stately pine? 

If you haven’t seen these wonders, 
Then you haven’t lived at all; 

You have missed a thousand pleasures 
That are right within your call. 

You have missed the joy of living, 
You have missed a gift most dear 

That Mother Nature on us bestows, 
Each October of the year. 


JOLLY HALLOWEEN 

[Recitation for an upper-grade boy ] 

There’s something ’bout the harvest time 
That makes one most awfully gay; 
There’s something in the autumn air 

That lingers all the livelong, chilly day. 
Perhaps it is that mellow sun 
That brightly shines till day is done; 
Perhaps it is the cornfields drear 
That riches hold, when fall is here. 


16 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


It might be vineyards of purple gems 
Or orchards bared of treasured fruit. 

Perhaps it is the caw of crow, 

Or nightly sound of owl’s dull hoot. 

It may be the luscious pumpkin pies, 

Or nuts that hang so temptingly low; 

It may be dreams of future sleigh rides 
Which we all so love and know. 

It could be any of these things 
To which I have called attention; 

But instead, my gladness is all due 
To one thing I have failed to mention 

When jolly Halloween comes stealing 
Around in the fall of the year, 

A fellow doesn’t need another thing 
To make him full of gladsome cheer. 


DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXERCISES 

HALLOWEEN ACROSTIC 

[For nine children, each of whom carries one letter of the 
word “Halloween.” A ll children enter at the same time and 
form a line across the front of the stage. The letters .are 
held behind them until their turn comes to speak. Care is 
then taken that the letters are held so a straight line is 
formed .] 

H is for the happiness Halloween brings; 

For howling and hooting and other weird things. 

A is for apples we bob for in great glee; 

I hope there’s enough for both yon and me. 

L is for lanterns made of pumpkins round; 

Their bright, jolly faces light up the town. 

L is for laughter so hearty and gay 

That shows how children welcome the day; 

0 is for owls so stern and so wise; 

They peer from the trees with great big eyes. 

W is for witches who ride in the night; 

Their job it is to keep the moon bright. 

E is for every one who shares in the joy 
Of this glad holiday of each girl and boy. 

E is for evening when strange things occur; 

Even the pussy cat bristles her fur. 

N is for nothing that is left out 

To make Halloween spread cheer about. 

17 


18 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


All [together]. 

So all of us make Halloween 
As plain as plain can be; 

We hope that it will always be 
A joyful time for you and me. 

THE RIGHT KIND 

[An exercise for three hoys] 

First Boy. 

I saw a boy the other day, 

With rosy cheeks and sparkling eyes 

He’s always ready for a game, 

In every outdoor sport he tries. 

His hands and face are always clean, 
His clothes are brushed and neat; 

Because he eats the food he should, 

He’s always hard to beat. 

Second Boy. 

I know another little chap 

Who is as different as can be; 

He’s pale and thin and sickly, 

Just as quiet as can be. 

He doesn’t like to run and play. 

He’s never washed nor clean; 

He eats of sweets all he can get. 

In sports he’s never seen. 

Third Boy. 

Now we have learned a lesson 
From these two friends of ours; 


DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXERCISES 19 


We’ve found that improper food 
Our good health soon devours. 

From now on we’ll choose wisely 
Exercise and lots of sleep, 

So that, for the years to come, 

Our good health we may keep. 

THE PUMPKIN SPIRITS 

For three small hoys. As they enter, each carries part of a 
pumpkin shell. 

First Pumpkin. 

I am the spirit of a pumpkin 

That grew in Farmer Brown’s field; 

I was so very big and yellow, 

Quite the finest of the yield. 

But a boy come and got me 
And a jack-o’-lantern made; 

As soon as Halloween was over, 

Away outside I was laid. 

Second Pumpkin. 

I am the spirit of a pumpkin 
That grew by the pasture gate; 

I wasn’t noted for my size, 

But my quality was great. 

Some one baked me in a pie 
To have on merry Halloween. 

So now there’s only my rind— 

All that’s left to be seen. 

Third Pumpkin. 

I am the spirit of a pumpkin 


20 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


That met a fate very sad; 

I never knew that people could 
Treat pumpkins quite so bad. 

Instead of being used for pie 
Or lanterns gay to light the land, 

I was loaded in a wagon big 
And hauled away and canned! 

All go off shaking their heads dolefully. 

HALLOWEEN GREETINGS 

For five little girls. Each one carries a Halloween postal 

card which she holds out in front of her when she speaks. 

All [ together ]. 

We are some little greeting cards 
That come on Halloween; 

We are going to read the verses 
That on each of us is seen. 

First Child. 

The spooky ghosts and goblins 
This night may spy on you; 

Wh,en you don’t see them a't all. 

They’ll lots of mischief do! 

Second Child. 

The jolly imps of Halloween 
Will be about to-night; 

Beware they don’t ensnare you 

When you think them out of sight! 

Third Child. 

The witches ride on broomsticks, 

Black cats fill the air; 


DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXERCISES 


21 


Ghosts and goblins sally forth 
So walk this night with care! 

Fourth Child. 

When doors and windows dolefully creak, 

When frightful shapes are seen, 

Be careful what you do and say, 

For then it’s Halloween. 

Fifth Child. 

May the goblins that visit you 
On this gay Halloween 

Bring you the very best luck 
That ever was seen. 

All [together]. 

Now, all we little greeting cards 
Must leave our friends so dear; 

But don’t you mourn a single bit, 

For we’ll be right back next year! 

All bow and go off stage , holding their cards toward'au¬ 
dience. 

WHICH IS BEST? 

[For a girl and a boy. The boy enters first and speaks. 

Another girl takes the part of The Ghost.] 

The Boy. 

Girls don’t have fun at Halloween, 

They’re just as scared as can be; 

They think there’s a ghost standing 
Behind everything they chance to see. 


22 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


They never go a-prowling round 
To play a clever prank or two. 

They want to bob for silly apples, 

Or ofher childish tricks to do. 

The Girl enters . 

The Girl. 

You’re very wrong, now, smarty boy, 

For girls do have real fun 

Right up to when Halloween’s over, 

From the time it has begun. 

We are not a single bit afraid 
Of ghosts, for there aren’t any; 

And as for doing pranks at night, 

We have done very, very many. 

The Boy. 

Girls are afraid of ghosts, I know. 

I saw them run the other night 

When Jerry, dressed in bed sheets, 

Came down the street in sight. 

If they had been boys like us, 

They would have caught that chap ' 

And taken off his ghost outfit 
Before at one door he could rap. 

The Girl. 

You say you are so wondrously brave. 

I think that I will really see 

Just how frightened of a real ghost 
A boy like you can sometimes be. 

The Ghost' enters and runs toward The Boy, who 
screams and mins off stage: 


DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXERCISES 


23 


I thought that was just what he’d do, 
In spite of ail his bragging; 

But it is almost party time, 

So here I must not be lagging. 

She goes off stage . 


Policeman. 

CITY HELPERS 

[For Three Bogs ] 


I am a big policeman, 



With muscles very strong; 

I am to protect the people 

From those who do wrong. 

I help the young and old 
Whene’er they are in need; 

I’m ready at any time to do 

A kind or helpful deed. 

Fireman. 

I am a sturdy fireman, 

Who tries to save your home 
When the demon fire spreads 
From basement up to dome. 

I save the lives of people 

Who are trapped within; 

To tell you the risks I run 

I could not even begin. 

Mailman. 

I am the welcome mailman, 

Who comes to your door 


24 THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 

To bring you a cheery word 

From friends you knew of yore. 
I like the work I do, 

For smiles I always see 
Upon the faces of the folks 
Who are waiting there for me. 

All [together]. 

Daily, as we do our work, 

We’re going to ask of you 
To help us in your way 
Our very best to do. 

Don’t make our burden heavier, 

But ever strive to be 
Of service to the workers 
Who all about here you see. 


MODERN WITCHES 

[For six little girls in peaked caps. Each wears a placard 
bearing the name of the character she represents. All enter 
and form a line across the Front of stage.\ 

First Witch. 

I am a very modern witch, 

As you will soon learn; 

I scatter seeds of health 
At every crook and turn. 

I build for better bodies 
And health. Now you’ll agree 
That a very great blessing 
Is a Good Health witch like me. 


DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXERCISES 


25 


Second Witch. 

I am the witch of industry. 

I make the wheels go—hum! 

No lazy boys or girls 

Can ever around me come. 

I make you glad to have the work 
Which daily you must do; 

I bring the gift of industry 
To every one of you. 

Third Witch. 

I am the witch of Safety First; 

My need is great to-day; 

I protect all the boys and girls 
While they are at their play. 

I teach them the constant danger 
Of playing in the street; 

For there wait fatal injuries 
They’re almost sure to meet. 

Fourth Witch. 

I am a patriotic witch, 

Who teach you love of country; 

The children learn of America 
And to obey her laws, from me. 

The glories of our banner 
Must be seen by every eye, 

As we strive to keep it floating 
Ever under azure sky. 

Fifth Witch. 

I am the witch of storyland 

From the realm of pleasant books; 


.26 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


That you have .all met with me, 

I can tell from your looks. 

I rule those lovely stories 

Of fairies, knights and elves; 

If you would know more about me 
Just read my books yourselves. 

Sixth Witch. 

I am the witch of cheerfulness. 
Who make you smile and smile; 

Your work is always lighter 
If you’re happy all the while. 

So, smile a bit and laugh a bit, 
Each hour of the waking day; 

You’ll find that it’s a sure way 
Of driving gloom away. 

All bow and go off stage. 


A MOTHER GOOSE HALLOWEEN 

CHARACTERS 

Mother Goose: a long print dress and tall, pointed black 
hat. 

Four Girls: Bo Peep, Marjorie Daw, Nancy Endicott, 
and Miss Muffet, who wear print dresses, white aprons 
and straw hats. 

Four Boys: Boy Blue wears a suit of blue. Humpty 
Dumpty wears a tan suit and a red tie. A fat child is 
chosen for this part and his suit is stuffed. Tommy 
Tucker has an ordinary play suit and the suit of the 
Knave of Hearts is decorated with many paper hearts. 



DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXERCISES 


27 


The stage is trimmed in orange and black. Mother Goose 
enters and stands at the Center of stage. The others come 
in when their turns come to speak. The girls stand at the 
right of Mother Goose and the boys at the left. 

Mother Goose. 

Now, in the land of Mother Goose 
Halloween is a jolly time; 

All my children love to frolic 
In our frosty, snappy clime. 

Witches, elves and goblins 
Visit us as they do you; 

Now we are going to relate 
Some of the things we do. 

Bo Peep. 

Little Bo Peep doesn’t tend sheep 
When Halloween comes to our land; 

But instead, she searches for the elves 
That are found on every hand. 

• 

Boy Blue. 

Boy Blue would not dare to sleep, 

Or a black cat might waken him rudely; 

So he’s wide awake on each Halloween 
And does his work, honest and truly. 

Marjorie Daw. 

Marjorie Daw is said to be slow, 

But with wonderful speed she raced, 

When, by the garden and over lawns, 

By a great, white ghost she was chased! 


28 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


Humpty Dumpty. 

Humpty Dumpty has a great time 
When Halloween draws near; 

He plays enough silly tricks 

To keep him laughing all the year. 

Mother Goose. 

You see, my many children 
Enjoy themselves right well; 

Of the glory of October 

They are always glad to tell. 

Tommy Tucker. 

Tommy Tucker sings during supper 
And breakfast and dinner, too; 

He knows >of so many funny things 
That on Halloween he can do. 

Nancy Endicott. 

Little Nancy Endicott works very hard 
Lighting each Jack’s funny face; 

For the throne of a queen wondrous fair 
She wouldn’t exchange her place. 

Jack Horner. 

Little Jack Horner is in his glory 
When the Halloween season is nigh. 

For nothing pleases him quite so much 
As a piece of rich pumpkin pie. 

Miss Muefet. 

No spiders or wasps frighten Miss Muffet now 
But black cats and owls catch her eye; 

While goblins and elves flit everywhere 
And witches go sailing on high. 


DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXERCISES 


29 


Mother Goose. 

My children are much like the ones 
You see near you every day; 

They like the very things you like 
And play the games you play. 

So when you think of Mother Goose 
And of her children, too, 

Just think of jolly, happy folks 

Like every one of you. [Points to audience .] 


MAKING JACK-O'-LANTERNS 


Jack 

Bill >■ 
Harold 


Three school hoys in ordinary school clothes. 
Each of them has a large pumpkin , the insides 
of which have been cleaned out, and a jack¬ 
knife. 


Discovered: The three boys seated on the floor near the 
Center of stage. 

Jack. How are you coming. Bill? 

Bill. Not very good. I never seem to have any luck cut¬ 
ting the faces on these jack-oManterns. Some people can 
make them so they look just like people, but mine always 
look vacant. 

Harold. Well, they ought to look like some people, then. 
I heard our neighbor lady say, the other day, she never 
knew there were so many vacant-looking people until she 
moved here. 

Jack. I wonder whom she could have been thinking of 
when she said that. Do I look vacant? 



30 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


Harold. I don’t believe yon do. I think you have too 
much pumpkin on your face, right now, to be called vacant. 

Bill. There! That is the best I can do. How does that 
face look? 

He holds up the pumpkin, which has a very sorrowful 
looking face. The hoys laugh heartily at it. 

Jack. I never saw such a long face on anything that is sup¬ 
posed to be as jolly as a jack-o’-lantern. It looks like the 
new minister. 

Bill. I wonder why that new minister’s face is so long. 
He .geems pleasant enough, but he certainly does look sad. 

Harold. I suppose his face has grown long to match his 
sermons. 

Jack. If his face gets long enough to match that one he 
gave last week, it will reach ’way down to his heels. 

Bill. I think we would better change the subject. I know 
we are just in fun, but it isn’t proper to speak of such a 
fine man as he so lightly. By the way, where are you 
going with your jacks? 

Harold. I think I’ll go over the tracks and scare the 
Widow Mitchell a little. We did that last year and had a 
lot of fun. * 

Bill. It wasn’t so much fun when she told the principal 
about it and we all lost our recesses. Let’s think of some¬ 
thing different. 

Harold. I’d like to do something with mine that would 
bring pleasure to some one instead of injury. There must 
be some good that can be done with jack-o’-lanterns. 

Jack. I have an idea. You know those three little boys 
that live in the shack by the tracks. I heard the boys 
teasing them at school to-day, because they said they had 
never seen a jack-o’-lantern. 


DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXERCISES 


31 


Bill. I heard that, too. It seems their teacher told each 
child to bring a jack-o’-lantern to school to-morrow for 
their Halloween party, and these children didn’t know 
what she meant. 

Jack. Where could they have been all their lives, if they 
don’t know about jack-o’-lanterns? They surely have 
missed a lot of fun. 

Bill. The jack-o’-lantems belong to America and* these 
children have not been in this country long. They felt 
very bad because .they had no means of getting one apiece 
to take to school to-morrow. 

Jack. My idea was to make these jack-o’-lanterns, put 
candles in them, and take them over to the little shack 
and give them to those three children. They will get 
lots more fun out of them than we will. 

Harold. After I cut my hand three times making this one 
smile just like Mr. [name of local young man ] when he 
calls on Miss [name of local young lady\ ! Those little 
chaps may appreciate the jack-o’-lanterns, but they won’t 
appreciate the energy I wasted making that smile. 

Jack. You always were too ambitious about doing such 
things as that. What do you think of my plan? 

Bill. I think it is fine. We can get all the pumpkins we 
want over in our field, if we want to make more jack-o’- 
lanterns. How about you, Harold? 

Harold. I am surely willing to take mine over, if the rest 
of you are. I was just fooling about not wanting to part 
with it, but I do hate to see that smile ruined. 

Jack. Then, when they are finished, we’ll go over. We are 
too big to be running around with silly pumpkins, any¬ 
way. 

Bill. Mine is cut as well as I can get it. Let’s hurry, so 


32 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


we won’t be late for supper. We’re going to have pumpkin 
pie at our house. 

Jack. So are we. 

Harold. We are, too. 

Bill. I know, boys. We will take our Halloween fun eat¬ 
ing pumpkin pie, instead of fooling around with jack-o’- 
lanterns. 

Harold. That’s a good idea. 

All [ together ]. 

Hurrah for Halloween! 

Hurrah for pumpkin pie! 

Through the autumn days 
We will sing its praises high. 

They take their jack-o'-lanterns and go off stage. 

HALLOWEEN AT THE ORPHANAGE 

CHARACTERS 

Mother Farley: a girl dressed as a middle-aged woman. 
The Orphanage Children : as many children as desired 
are seated avout the stage on small chairs or benches. 
The following children have speaking parts: 

All the orphanage children wear ordinary play 
clothes much alike. 

The Village Children: as many children as desired. 
These wear out-of-door clothing and bring jack-o’- 
lanterns and baskets ivith them. The following have 
speaking parts: 


Teddy 

Fred 

Lucy 

Rose 



DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXERCISES 


33 


Robert ''j These three are the largest of the village children. 

Mary C Each of them has a basket which appears to he 

Helen - J filled with things for the orphanage. 

Discovered: The Children seated about the stage. Some 
are reading, others are amusing themselves with games. 
Mother Farley is seated near the Center of stage darn¬ 
ing stockings. 

Teddy. We aren’t going to have any Halloween party to¬ 
night, are we. Mother Farley? 

Mother Farley. No, Teddy, we are not. 

Teddy. I wish we were. It seems as if I have waited for 
Halloween all the year, just to have a party; and now we 
can’t have any. 

Mother Farley. I am sorry yon are so disappointed, 
Teddy. I am disappointed, too, for Halloween has always 
been a happy time at this orphanage. 

Lucy. Why aren’t we going to have a party ? 

Mother Farley. There are more children in the orphan¬ 
age this year than there have ever been before. You 
know that means more food to buy; more new shoes and 
more little suits are needed. These things have cost so 
much this year that the directors of the orphanage have 
decided they didn’t have money enough to have a party. 

Rose. Do parties cost a lot of money? 

Mother Farley. They do not cost a lot of money, but 
they do cost some. We would have to buy apples, and 
marshmallows and— 

Teddy. 0 Mother Farley, don’t mention any more of those 
good things or I’ll just cry. We had all those last year, 
didn’t we? 

Mother Farley. Yes, we did, Teddy, and I wish you 


34 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


could have them this year; but there is no use crying be¬ 
cause we can’t. We have had plenty of good food and 
warm clothing all the year, so we ought to be thankful. 

Feed: We are thankful, Mother Farley; but you know we 
just can’t help thinking about the fun we might be having. 

Lucy. We know that, if you had your way about it, we 
would have a big party every holiday. 

Mothek Faeley. I am glad you feel that way about me, 
my dears, for I certainly do want to do everything to 
make you have a happy time here. You know, sometimes 
the directors say I am too easy with you children. 

Childben. Oh, no, Mother Farley, you are just right with 
us. 

Mothee Faeley. I have you on my side, anyway, haven’t 
I? Nothing could please me more. Now, would you like 
to have me tell you a Halloween story? 

Childben [together]. Please do! 

Mothee Faeley. What shall I tell you about? 

Rose. Tell us about witches and fairies. 

Feed. Tell us a ghost story! 

Lucy. Ghost stories always frighten the little children so 
they cannot sleep. Tell us a story about how the children 
in the village spend Halloween. 

Mothee Faeley. It has been a long time since I was a 
child in the village, but I will tell you what I remember 
of what we use to do. All the children brought apples, 
candy and nuts to the town hall. There we had jack-o’- 
lanterns and what a jolly time there was! We played 
games and pranks on each other. Then we ate the lunch 
our mothers had prepared for us. 

Teddy. Wouldn’t that be grand! 

Feed. I wish I could go to a party like that, just once! 


DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXERCISES 


35 


The door bell rings loudly. 

Who can that be? Perhaps it is some of the directors 
coming to see if we have observed the Halloween ruling. 

Mother Farley goes to the door and admits The Chil¬ 
dren from the Village. 

Mother Farley. Why, children, what do you want? 
Robert. We have permission from the directors to have our 
Halloween party here with the children. May we? 
Mother Farley. I am delighted. My heart was broken 
because their evening was spoiled. 

Helen. We have brought jack-o’-lanterns, apples and candy. 
Mary. At nine o’clock the ice cream man will bring ice 
cream and cake. We made the money at our club show. 
Teddy. Ice cream and cake! This will be a Halloween to 
remember. 

Mother Farley. We will go to the play room and start 
the fun at once. This is going to be the merriest Hal¬ 
loween the Happy Home Orphanage has ever known. 
Rose. And you are the dearest matron any orphanage has 
ever known! 

The Children gather around Mother Farley as the 
curtain drops. 


COLONIAL JACK-O’-LANTERNS 


Mother ^ 
and > 
Father J 
Prudence 
Endurance 


These parts are taken by rather tall children 
dressed in outdoor clothes of colonial style. 

) These girls wear plain dresses of gray or 
j brown, long and full, with small white aprons 
and caps. 


36 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


Indians: just the made-up faces of these are seen at the 
window , so that no costumes need to he especially 
planned. 

Scene : A colonial kitchen. Two large jack-o'-lanterns 
with candles in them are placed on the tables. A window 
frame is arranged at one end of the stage , behind which 
the Indians appear. 

Discovered : Mother, Father, Prudence and Endur¬ 
ance. Mother and Father standing near the door. 

Father. We must hurry, Mother. The meeting will be 
called. 

Mother. I have a strange feeling that causes me to hesi¬ 
tate about leaving Prudence and Endurance alone while 
we are gone to-night. Do you think it is quite safe. 
Father ? 

Father. There have been no Indians around here for some 
time, now, except friendly ones. That terrible story from 
the neighboring village has upset your nerves, I think. 

Mother. Perhaps it has, but I don’t feel like leaving the 
girls alone. 

Prudence. We are not afraid, Mother. You have not been 
to meeting in a long time and I know you are anxious 
to see the new minister. If Endurance didn’t have this 
terrible cold, we would go with you. 

Endurance. Do not worry about us, Mother. We will not 
go outside and we will keep the door barred. I am sure 
we shall not be bothered. 

Mother. We must hurry, then. Be careful, won’t you, 
girls? [She kisses the girls and goes to the door.'] 

Father. Good night, girls. We shall not be gone long. 

Girls. Good night! 


DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXERCISES 


37 


Mother and Father leave and the girls fasten the door. 

Prudence. Now we must get busy with our jack-o’- 
lanterns. I am sure we are going to have a delightful time 
to-morrow. 

Endurance. So am I. Aren’t you glad that Mother and 
Father think it is perfectly all right for us to play with 
jack-o’-lanterns and have fun? Some of the colonial par¬ 
ents will not let their children even think of such things. 

Prudence. What a shame it is! Goodness knows there is 
little enough pleasure in the colony these days. I think 
we ought to make good use of what we do have. 

The girls sit down at the table and start arranging the 
candles in their jack-o’-lanterns. 

Endurance. I can’t help thinking how cleverly that serv¬ 
ant girl fooled those Indians. She was brave as well as 
clever. 

Prudence. She said that when she saw the Indian coming 
to the house she didn’t know what to do. Then she saw 
the two great brass kettles which she had just polished. 
In a minute she had put the two little children under the 
kettles and run upstairs for the rifle. 

Endurance. Of course, the children didn’t know what the 
trouble was, so they moved about and cried. The Indian 
looked in at the window. All he saw was the two kettles 
creeping toward him. He fired at them, for he had a 
gun, too. Then the children began to cry and crawl 
faster. 

Prudence. “Him dead! Him move!” the servant girl 
heard the Indian say, as he turned and ran away. He 
will never come near that house anymore, for the Indians 
are very much afraid of anything they think is a spirit. 


38 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


Endurance. She was a very brave girl. I wonder what we 
would do, if we saw an Indian looking in at us? 

Prudence. Endurance! Don’t speak of such things when 
we are here alone. 

Endurance. I won’t again, for it does frighten me to 
think how cruel those Redmen can be. I wish Mother 
and Father would come home. 

Prudence. They will be here soon, for the evening prayer 
is always short. I can’t get the candle to stand up straight 
in this lantern. 

Endurance. Scoop out a little place at the bottom of the 
pumpkin for the candle. There, that will help it to stand 
up, now. 

Prudence. I believe it will. I am glad, for I do want to 
have it lighted. Mine is all ready. 

Endurance. So is mine. Didn’t I make a funny face on 
this one, though? [ Holds up lantern .] 

Prudence. I tried to make the face on mine look happy, 
like a Halloween pumpkin ought. Let’s light them and 
see how they look. 

Endurance. All right. I will light this twig in the fire 
and that will light both candles. 

Prudence [ exclaims ]. Endurance! The window, look! 

Endurance [looking toward the window and stepping back 
with fright ]. Indians! 0 Prudence, what shall we do? 

Just then an Indian warwhoop is heard outside. The door 
is rudely shaken. 

Prudence. Blow out the light, Endurance. Quick! We must 
not be seen, or they may shoot us. 

Endurance blows out the lamp which has been used to 
light the room. Prudence comes up to the pumpkin 


DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXEKC1SES 


39 


with a piece of purik which has been lighted and handed 
to her unnoticed by some one off stage. 

Endurance [in a loud whisper]. 0 Prudence, what are we 
going to do? 

Prudence. Sh! This is our only chance. 

The warwhoops and the pounding outside have continued 
during the above. Prudence lights the candle in each 
jack-o’-lantern. 

Prudence. Hold the pumpkin in front of your face. Hide 
your hands under it and walk to the window. 

Each girl takes a pumpkin and walks to the window. 

Indians [outside]. White spirit with fire eyes! Indian no 
kill spirit. Indian run. Great white spirit with fire eyes! 
The whooping stops and the voices of the Indians become 
fainter and fade away. The girls sit down on the floor. 
Endurance. I can see them running clear over that hill a 
mile away. They are waving their torches and running 
fast. 0 Prudence! you have saved our lives. 

Prudence. You mean the jack-o’-lanterns have! 

Rapping is heard on the door and the Mother's voice 
calls. 

Mother. Girls! Girls! 

Prudence. Just a minute, Mother! [The girls open the 
door and their parents come in.] 

Father, Girls, have those Indians been here? Why is the 
light out? 

Mother. My darlings ! Are you hurt ? 

Father lights the lamp. 

Endurance. No, thanks to Prudence and our jack-o’- 
lanterns, we are not injured. The Indians were pounding 


40 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


and whooping outside, but when Prudence lighted the jack- 
o’-lanterns, they were frightened away at once. 

Prudence. The Indians thought they were spirits. 

Father. You were brave girls and used your heads in time 
of need. Those Indians will not come near this house 
again, but we must warn our neighbors of the danger they 
may be in. 

Mother. First, we will say a prayer of thanksgiving to 
the great Father who has protected our little family. 
curtain 

WHO WAS GUILTY? 

CHARACTERS 

Mother : plain dress and apron. 

Billy: a boy of eight or nine years. He wears school 
clothes. 

Sylvester : a first-grade boy, or one who is even younger. 

Scene: The kitchen. A table covered with a long table¬ 
cloth is placed near the Center of the stage. Several chairs 
are set about the room. When the curtain rises Sylvester 
is seen seated on the floor eating pie out of the tin with 
a very large spoon. He is very much sprinkled with pump¬ 
kin pie. Billy enters from the side. 

Billy. Hey there. Silly! What have you there ? 

Sylvester. Pie. 

Billy. Pie? And eating it out of a tin. Where did you 
get that pie ? Did Mother give that to you, young man ? 
[Sylvester shakes his head.'] 

No, I thought not. Let me see what kind of pie it is. 
[He goes over near Sylvester.] IPs pumpkin. I didn’t 


DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXERCISES 


41 


need even to look at the pie tin to tell that. Look at your 
face and hands! Give that tin to me. 

[Billy tries to take the tin away from Sylvester, but he 
refuses to let go.] 

Give it to me, I say. It is nearly gone, but I know 
Mother wanted that pie for supper. 

Sylvester. Good pie! 

Billy. Of course it’s good, but that’s no reason why you 
should eat it all. Sylvester Raphael John Gaston, give 
me that pie this minute! 

[Billy grabs the tin. He gets some pumpkin on his hand , 
but Sylvester crawls under the table with the pie. Just 
then Mother enters. Billy rubs his hand across his 
face and in doing so leaves some of the pie on his face.] 

Mother. I am in a terrible hurry. Our club meeting never 
lasted so long. I was surely glad I had baked that pie 
this morning, or I never would be able to get your father’s 
supper ready in time. 

Billy, bring that pie here and I will cut it. Then you 
can set it on the table. It is on that lower shelf under 
the window, where I put it to cool. 

Billy. Mother, I am awfully sorry, but I don’t believe I 
can get that pie for you. 

Mother. Nonsense, get that pie for me this minute. I 
never heard of such talk from youngsters. 

Billy. But, Mother, you see, the pie isn’t where I can get 
it. I tried— 

Mother [ busy at work at the table]. William, don’t say 
another word back, but go into the pantry and get me 
that pie. Do you hear me? 

Billy. But, Mother, there is no pie there. 


42 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


Mother. No pie there! Of course there is pie there. 
Didn’t I put it there myself? I shall have to get it my¬ 
self ! 

[She leaves the room. While she is gone, Sylvester 
reaches out from under the tablecloth and puts the pie 
tin bach of Billy.] 

Billy [not noticing the tin behind^ him]. You’ll catch it, 
when you come out from under there, Silly. 

Sylvester. You’ll catch it before I do come out of here. 

[He puts his head out from under the table as he speahs.] 

Mother returns to the room. 

Mother. William Gaston, do you mean that you have eaten 
that whole pie? Just because you stay at home one Satur¬ 
day afternoon to care for your dear little brother, you 
think you are entitled to eat a whole pie for lunch? 
Billy. But, Mother! 

Mother. Don’t “but Mother” me. I can see what you 
have done. There is the tin, right behind you. [She picks 
up the pie tin.] You were trying to hide this from me, 
weren’t you? 

Billy. I didn’t even know that tin was there. It wasn’t 
there the last time I saw it. 

Mother. When was the last time you saw it? 

Billy. Why, it was just a few minutes ago. 

Mother. And was the pie on the shelf where I left it? 
Billy. No, Mother, it wasn’t there. Silly— 

Mother [interrupting him]. That will do. Don’t make 
any excuses to me. Your dear little brother couldn’t have 
done anything to justify your eating that pie. Besides, 


DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXERCISES 


13 


I have told you never to call that dear child “Silly.” His 
name is Sylvester and that is what he shall be called while 
I am around here. Do you understand? 

Billy. Yes, Mother, but Silly— I mean Sylvester Raphael 
John was the one that— 

Mother. William, don’t you tell me a falsehood. I know 
that dear little Sylvester never suggested such a naughty 
thing to you as to eat that pie. Now did he? 

Billy. No, he didn’t mention a thing about my eating it, 
but he— 

Mother. I know he w'ould never do such a thing. If he 
had any say in the matter at all, he probably told you 
not to eat it. He didn’t ask you for any pie, did he? 

Billy. He didn’t ask me for any, but he— 

Mother. There! I knew he didn’t. It was very, very 
wrong of you to try to put the blame on dear little Syl¬ 
vester. He— 

Billy. But, Mother, let me tell— 

Mother. William, you know better than to interrupt when 
I am speaking. It is bad enough to think of you doing 
such a thing as eating a whole pumpkin pie that I had 
baked for your father’s supper, without tormenting me 
with such behavior as this. 

Billy [aside]. How can I explain it to her, if I can’t talk? 
[To Mother.] 

Mother, I didn’t eat that pie. 

Mother. Didn’t eat the pie? Oh, to think that one of 
my own children would ever tell me a falsehood like this! 
What would the neighbors ever say, if they heard of it? 

Billy. But, Mother— 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


U 


Mother. Isn’t that pie on your hands and face? 

Billy. Yes, Mother, but— 

Mother. Didn’t you tell me you saw this tin a minute ago 
and didn’t you have hold of it? 

Billy. Yes, Mother, but— 

Mother. And haven’t you been trying to tell me how dear 
little Sylvester put you up to such a thing? I am very 
sorry, William, but you must be whipped. 

[She puts Billy across her knees and spanks him. He 
cries heartily .] 

Mother. Now, I must go down town and get something 
for dessert. I will not let you go, for you do not deserve the 
pleasure of going outside. I have the water ready for dear 
little Sylvester’s bath. His clothes are laid out. You 
wake him up, give him his bath and dress him carefully. 
Do you understand? 

Billy. Yes, Mother. 

Mother. If you have it all done nicely when I return, I 
will not mention this disgraceful happening to your father. 
Do you understand? 

Billy. Yes, Mother. 

Mother. All right, then. [She leaves the room and Syl¬ 
vester crawls out from under the table. His face is 
covered with pumpkin pie.\ 

Billy. Clean you up! All I’ll do is destroy the evidence 
in my own case. Oh, well, I might have known you’d 
never bring me anything but trouble. Come on, you’ll 
get one scrubbing you won’t forget and I hope you get a 
stomach ache besides. 


Billy goes off stage , pulling Sylvester by the collar. 


DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXERCISES 

HALLOWEEN AT THE CLUB 

CHARACTERS 


45 


These boys range from nine to fourteen years of 
age. They wear ordinary school clothes. Some 
of them are dressed rather shabbily. 

Mr. Brown, the club leader, the largest of the boys. He is 
dressed as a Boy Scout leader might be. 

Scene: The club room. Several chairs are placed about 
the room and there is a table in the center with magazines 
on it. Pictures of animals and pennants are on the wall. 
When the curtain rises Ted and Jack are discovered 
seated by the table. 

Ted. This looks like a pretty quiet Halloween, doesn’t it, 
Jack? I wonder if none of the other boys are going to 
show up. 

Jack. I didn’t think this idea of having club meeting on 
Halloween would be very successful, but Mr. Brown in¬ 
sisted upon it. I suppose he thought we might get into 
mischief, if we were around town to-night. 

Ted. We surely did have a lively time last Halloween, but 
I have been ashamed ever since of some of the things we 
did. I think we might as well start telling each other 
ghost stories, for all the excitement there is to be around 
here to-night. 

[Bill enters quietly.\ 

Bill. I think you’re about six inches too big for ghost 
stories. Why don’t we go out and have a little action? 

Ted. What could we do? 


Ted 

Jack 

Bill 

Ralph 

Jerry 



46 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


Bill. What could we do? Don’t be such a baby, Ted. 

Isn’t there just as much to do this Halloween as there 

ever has been? Aren’t there just as many doorsteps that 
can be carried off and aren’t there just as many windows 
to soap? 

Jack. It doesn’t seem right to do such things as those, now 

that we are club members. I use to think they were great 

sport, but when you consider all the trouble that is caused 
other people, they don’t seem to be so much fun. 

Bill. Don’t think about the trouble, then. That is for 
some one else to worry over. It doesn’t seem right to me 
for wide-awake boys to sit around on Halloween like a lot 
of old ladies. 

[Mr. Brown enters ]. 

Mr. Brown. It certainly doesn’t. I should think, though, 
that wide-awake boys could think of something new to do 
besides the same old stunts that your great grandfathers 
did when they were boys. There is really nothing clever 
in just imitating what others have done. 

Bill. Well, it’s fun, just the same. 

Mr. Brown. Then you and I haven’t the same idea of fun. 
What do you other boys think about it? 

Jack. We just said that Bill’s idea of a good time didn’t 
appeal to us, but what can we do to make it a really jolly 
Halloween? A regular club meeting doesn’t seem hardly 
lively enough. 

Ted. I believe you have something planned for us, Mr. 
Brown. I believe I can see an unusually bright twinkle 
in your eye. 

Mr Brown. Perhaps I have, but you must wait until the 
other boys arrive before I tell you my plans. 


DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXERCISES 


47 


Jack. I hope they hurry up, for I am getting anxious for 
something to happen. 

Bill. So am I. I hope you have something planned that 
will be lots of fun. 

[Ralph and Jerry enter.'] 

Ralph. Everything is ready, Mr. Brown. The rest of the 
boys are at the police station. 

Bill. Police station! What have they done ? 

Jack. Are you at the bottom of this, Mr. Brown? 

Mr. Brown. What other news do you have, boys? 

Jerry. Ralph and I are to take the east side. Bill and 
Jack are to go over the tracks anl Ted and you are to 
take the west side of town. First, we all have to report 
at the police station. 

Ted. Please tell us what this all means, Mr. Brown. I know 
it is something exciting by the way Jerry says “police 
station.” What are we to do? 

Mr. Brown. You may not think much of my idea of Hal¬ 
loween fun, but this is what I have planned. You know 
the police are always on the lookout for boys who are 
doing mischief on Halloween. 

Bill. I know that well enough. I got caught last year and 
they took me right over to the station. I had to stay 
there until they called up my dad and he came over and 
got me. I hate to think of what happened after that. 

Jack. No wonder Bill turned white when Jerry mentioned 
the station. 

Mr. Brown. This year I decided that, for a change, it 
would be more fun to work with the police instead of 
against them; so I offered the services of the members of 
this club to the police captain. 


48 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


Ted. But what can we do? 

Me. Brown. You boys are to be divided into three groups, 
as Jerry told you. Some of the other members of the 
club will enroll themselves with each of you. You are to 
spend the evening in the part of town to which you were 
directed and watch for mischief-makers. You are to see 
that no windows are soaped and no damage done. What 
do you think of the idea? 

Jack. Great! It will be just like being a real policeman. 

Bill. But how can we stop the boys from doing damage, 
if we see them up to some prank? They won’t pay any 
attention to us. 

Me. Brown. The police captain has agreed to furnish each 
of you boys with a regular police star. I believe most of 
the boys will pay attention to that. If they don’t, you 
can just take their names. You are pretty well acquainted 
in town, aren’t you? 

Jack. Sure, we are, Mr. Brown. We know everybody here. 

Ted. Too bad people don’t have to have licenses, like auto¬ 
mobiles, and then we could just take their numbers. 

Mr. Brown. That would be an advantage at a time like 
this, but I believe their names will have to do now. Are 
all you boys willing to try my plan? 

All the Boys [together]. Sure we are, Mr. Brown. 

Bill. This will be a different kind of a Halloween. I just 
know I shall look awfully important when I get that star. 

Mr. Brown. I forgot to tell you part of it. After our pa¬ 
trol job is over, we are all to come back to the station and 
have a big supper that the police captain is providing 
for us. 

Boys. Hurrah, hurrah! 

Jack. This will be one Halloween! 


DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXERCISES 


49 


Bill. I believe the new ways of celebrating the day are 
much better than the old, worn out ones, after all. 


HEALTH AND HALLOWEEN 

CHARACTERS 

The Health Spirit, a girl dressed in white. Her dress and 
wdnd are trimmed with tinsel and she wears a tinsel 
crown. 

Frost Spirits, any number of girls dressed in white. A 
string of tinsel is worn around each of their necks. 

Corn Kernels, any number of boys. Some wear tight red 
suits and others suits of bright yellow. 

The Apples, girls in very full red and green costumes. They 
wear small green caps. 

The Grapes, girls in bright purple costumes trimmed with 
green leaves. 

The Imps of Exercise, these boys wear sweaters and caps. 

Scene: An outdoor scene is represented. Foliage and au¬ 
tumn flowers may be used effectively with orange and 
black crepe paper. 

The Health Spirit enters and walks to the Center Front 
of the stage. 

Health Spirit. I am not the kind of a creature that you 
usually expect to see on Halloween, am I? Do you know 
who I am ? I will tell you, for I want every one to become 
acquainted with me. I am the Health Spirit. It is I 
who look after your welfare every hour of the day. It is 
my aim to give good health to every child in this broad 
land; but I need the help of the children, if I am to do 


50 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


that. You may wonder what I have to do with Halloween. 
It seems to me that this holiday is a time of particular 
value to health. Let me show you some of the things that 
come at Halloween time that are enrolled in my army 
of health. 

The song Harvest Time is played as the Frost Spirits 
enter. They hold hands as they dance around the 
Health Spirit and part of them pause on each side of 
her. Here they sing the following to the same tune: 

Frost Spirits [sing]. 

Coming in the night time, 

When you are fast asleep, 

Covering trees and bushes, 

O’er everything we creep. 

We’re the frost spirits 
That make October gay; 

We make leaves of gold and crimson 
Instead of green and gray. 

Frosty days, frosty nights! 

Frosty all the time; 

We’re what make October bright 
In this lovely, frosty clime. 

Frosty days, frosty nights 
Bite your hands and toes; 

We’re what kill all the germs, 

Almost everybody knows. 

Though we’re only little, 

A world of good each can do; 

We make the air crisp 
And keep it pure for you. 

Watch for us each morn 
And when we do appear, 

Just thank the Good Health Spirit kind 
Who brings October here. 


DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXERCISES 


51 


The music is repeated while the Frost Spirits dance 
about the stage in couples. After they have gone com¬ 
pletely around the stage, they join hands to form a cir¬ 
cle around the Health Spirit. The circle then skips to 
the Right. During the last notes of the chorus they curt¬ 
sy low to her and swing to the back of the stage , where 
they remain. 

Health Spirit. I am sure you are all familiar with the 
spirits that bring the early fall frosts. You will agree, I 
believe, that they do much to keep a community free from 
germs. 

Frost Spirits curtsy to Health Spirit, as she turns to 
them. 

Health Spirit. Now we will see some of the others who 
belong in my health army and in your Halloween parade. 

The Corn Kernels enter to the tune of Good Morning. 
They march around the stage in stately manner before 
they pause in a straight line across the Front , where 
they sing the following to the same tune. They may be 
assisted by a chorus off stage , if desired, or by those 
characters who have not yet entered. [The last eight 
measures of music are repeated for the last four lines 
of song]. 

Corn Kernels [sing]. 

Fields of corn are ripening now; 

Each stalk with heavy ears doth bow. 

Oh, there’s great wealth within us now, 

For ’tis October weather. 

Growing more stately ever, 

Failing the harvest never, 

Riper, fuller, richer, better, 

We grow on forever. 


52 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


Feeding people o’er the earth, 

Giving to great products birth, 

We fill the farmer now with mirth, 

For ’tis October weather. 

Health Spirit. You little corn kernels are always a merry 
group and I don’t wonder, for you certainly do a great 
deal of good in the world. Besides providing an important 
food item, there are hundreds of uses to which all parts 
of the corn are put. You well deserve a place in my health 
army and no one ever thinks of Halloween without pic¬ 
turing fields of cornstalks with bright orange pumpkins 
resting against them. Here are some little fellows we are 
especially fond of. 

The Corn Kernels go to the Rear of the stage, as the 
Apples come to the Front of the stage, where they 
speak. 

First Apple. We are the apples that brighten your orchard 
in October. You probably have us picked and packed care¬ 
fully away before Halloween, if you are wise, for we can¬ 
not long stand the breath of these little frost spirits. Nev¬ 
ertheless, we have a part in the merrymaking on that 
holiday. 

Second Apple. I am sure you have all had the pleasure of 
bobbing for apples. That is an old Halloween trick that 
nearly every one has enjoyed. Isn’t it fun, when you 
think you have hold of an apple, and then it suddenly 
bobs away from you? Yes, indeed, the apple deserves a 
prominent place in the parade of the Halloween pleasures. 

Third Apple. The apple has long been closely connected 
with good health. The old saying, “An apple a day keeps 
the doctor away,” has a great deal of truth in it. The 


DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXERCISES 


53 


child who is fond of apples will reach for one instead of 
ftandy. His health will be greatly improved by doing this. 
Therefore the apple takes its place in the army of health, 
as well as with the Halloween brigade. 

Health Spirit. I am glad to have such willing workers 
as the apples in my army, for they are always willing to 
serve me well. There are a great many healthful ways 
in which my apple children are used. I hope you are ac¬ 
quainted with many of them. 

The Apples skip around to rear of stage as The Grapes 
enter. 

Every autumn the vines are rich with great clusters of 
purple grapes. When these grapes are properly dried, they 
become raisins, of which all children are fond. Valuable 
iron is contained in these raisins and that is just what our 
blood needs. Every time we eat a handful of raisins we 
are taking energy into our bodies, 

The Grapes bow low as they come to the Front of the 
stage, where they sing the following to the tune of 
Cradle Hymn. 

Grapes [sing ]. 

In the autumn, oh, how thickly 
Hang the purple clusters high; 

Oh, what richness is enclosed within, 

As they grow ’neath sunny sky! 

Just before the first frost spirits 
Find their way within the wall, 

You are safely picked and gladly placed 
Within easy reach of all. 

The music is repeated while The Grapes pass around the 
stage with slow, swaying motion. They remain near the 
back of stage. 


54 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


Health Spirit. So the purple grapes take their place with 
the rest of my health army and with your October hardest. 
The last group of workers are arriving now. They are 
the Imps of Exercise. [The Imps enter ]. You know the 
cool, crisp air of October is an ideal time to exercise and 
these imps try to get every one to do their share of it. 
Don’t you, children? 

The Imps of Exercise come near the front of the stage. 

First Imp of Exercise. That is just what we do, Health 
Spirit. There are many ways of exercising in a delightful 
way during the fall months. Long hikes in the woods are 
splendid and nut hunts alford lots of fun and profit. 

Second Imp of Exercise. Roller skating is great sport 
when the air is cool and crisp, as it is in the autumn 
months. Lively games of football furnish exercise for 
every real boy. 

Third Imp of Exercise. Exercise is necessary, if we are 
to build up a strong body. No matter how much good 
food is eaten, or how much sleep we have, we cannot have 
a really strong body unless we exercise. The great out¬ 
doors, where there is an abundance of fresh air, is the 
ideal place for exercise. 

Health Spirit. Now do you see why the Health Spirit 
is closely connected with your autumn holiday? I hope 
you will remember this connectiton and make good use 
of each of these blessings which we have represented for 
you. If you do, you will bring about not only a healthful 
Halloween, but a healthful every-day-of-the-year. 


curtain 


DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXERCISES 


55 


OCTOBER 

CHARACTERS 

October, a girl in a soft brown dress trimmed with bright 
leaves. 

James Whitcomb Riley, a boy in ordinary school clothes. 

Fire Prevention, a boy who carries a large sign , "Stop 
waste by fire.” 

Revolutionary Hero, a boy dressed as a Revolutionary 
soldier. 

Colonial Chorus, as many children as desired. They 
wear old-fashioned, costumes. 

Theodore Roosevelt, a boy wearing a wide-brimmed hat , 
riding breeches and boots. 

Halloween Spirits, a number of children dressed in gay 
orange and black costumes. 

Columbus, a boy dressed in the fashion in which Columbus 
is pictured. 

The stage represents an autumn scene. October stands 
near the Center Front. 

October. I wonder if people really appreciate all the splen¬ 
did days there are in my month. Of course, every one 
knows I represent the great harvest time and that gay 
Halloween comes within my borders, but my fame does 
not stop there. I do not wish to be proud or vain when 
I speak of the glories of October, but I do think every 
one should know just how important in the year I am. 
Some of my holidays will now come before you and tell 
you something about themselves. Here comes the first 
one now. 

James Whitcomb Riley enters and stands near Oc¬ 


tober. 


56 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


October. This is James Whitcomb Riley, the Hoosier poet. 

James Whitcomb Riley. Yes, I am Riley, or rather, I am 
the spirit of Riley. I was born in Indiana on the seventh 
of October. Perhaps that is why I was so fond of the fall 
of the year and liked to write about it. Ho you want me 
to recite a poem for you that. is suited to this month ? 
Well, I will do so. I wrote it myself. [He recites Little 
Orphan Annie]. 

October. Here is a member of my family that has gained 
fame during the last few years. She is so very important 
that I don’t understand how people could have neglected 
her for so long. She is sometimes observed for a day and 
sometimes for a week. She should be observed everywhere 
the whole year around. 

[While she is speaking Fire Prevention enters and stands 
beside her~\. 

Fire Prevention. I am Fire Prevention, as you may 
guess from my sign. Now, don’t you agree with October 
that I really am very important? Think of the thousands 
and thousands of dollars’ worth of property that is de¬ 
stroyed every year by fires, many of which could be 
avoided. I have written a little poem that tells you a 
great deal of truth. Listen closely. 

[Recites.\ 

A little blaze left to burn 
Can ruin years of labor; 

A lighted match cast aside 
May mean a homeless neighbor. 

A forest that for long years 
. Has been growing big and tall 

May, in a single day or night, 

In soot and ashes fall. 


DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXERCISES 57 

The furnace that is left unchecked— 

A lighted candle, too, 

Can bring loss and great suffering 
To every one of you. 

A spark that reaches gasoline 
Will set your home aflame 
And cause a world of injuries— 

More than I can even name. 

So let us all be ready now 
To make Fire Prevention Day 
A time when all shall strive 
With fires to do away. 

Not upon that day or days alone 
But each day of the year 
We’ll strive to save from fire 
Those things we hold so dear. 

October. I do hope people will heed your warning and 
thank me for giving them so splendid a reminder of what 
they should do to prevent property loss by fire. Here is 
another of my children and a very popular one with every 
one of you. He is none other than Christopher Columbus, 
who claims the twelfth of October as his special day. 

Columbus enters and comes to the Front of the stage. 

Columbus. Every one in America knows all about me and 
how I really discovered America while searching for an 
all-water route to India. Nevertheless, there are a few 
things I am going to tell you in the words of the poet 
about my trip, for I believe you can all gain an example 
from it to follow in your own work, even though that 
work is not sailing. 

[He recites the following slowly and with much ex¬ 
pression .] 


58 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


Only the skies and sea of blue, 

Only his faith to see him through, 

Only the stars to lead him right 
As he sailed on both day and night. 

Only the pleadings of frightened men 
Who longed to return to their homes again; 

Only the cry of a lone sea gull 
Answered each tremble of stern and hull. 

Even the point of his compass small 
Turned away from its custom stall; 

Even the winds seemed gone astray 
As their courses changed day by day. 

Each sign that looked like land near by 
Was only a cloud on the distant sky. 

Even the light of the northern star 
Seemed to be leading to dangers far. 

Only the faith that was deep in his heart 
Guided his way in this unknown part; 

But Columbus believed as few men can 
And he found for us our own fair land. 

October. I believe that my month has the honor of claim¬ 
ing a day almost as great as the Fourth of July. It was 
during the month of October that the Revolutionary War 
came to a close and the fact that our country was to be 
realty independent became certain. The surrender of Bur- 
goyne at Yorktown took place on October 19, 1777. Isn’t 
that something to be proud of? Here is one of the brave 
soldiers who took part in that struggle. 

The Revolutionary Soldier enters . 

Revolutionary Soldier. There are many things I could 
tell you about how we Minute men fought against the 
Redcoats, back in those days of the war, but instead I 
am going to call some of the sons and daughters of the 


DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXERCISES 


59 


Revolution here to sing a song for you. The song cele¬ 
brates the glory of our nation since America won her inde¬ 
pendence. 

The Colonial Chorus enters and sings The American 
Hymn. 

October. We are very glad to have you sing for us, I am 
sure. Now we must hasten on with my days. I have the 
honor of claiming the birthday of a man who is dear to 
the heart of every American. He is Theodore Roosevelt. 
He will tell you something of what we all think of him. 

Theodore Roosevelt enters and comes to Center Front 
of stage. 

Theodore Roosevelt. My birthday is the twenty-seventh 
of October. I hope you will all remember it next year, 
for people do not like to he forgotten. 

October [recites]. 

Soldier and statesman, 

Brave patriot was he; 

Noted in homeland 
And noted in mid-sea. 

Lover of nature, 

Of man and God; 

A man who had trod 
The far western sod 

Rider and writer, 

Kind father was he; 

The type of manhood 
Each lad longs to be. 

One who most deeply 
Love of country felt; 

None can surpass him, 

Our own Roosevelt. 


60 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


Theodore Roosevelt bows. 

October. My last holiday is none other than Halloween. 
You are all so familiar with it that I am sure little need 
be said. Some of the children will tell you what they think 
of that merry time. 

The music of The Jolly Workers is played as The Hal¬ 
loween Spirits enter. They march once around the 
stage before they pause at the Front where they\ sing 
the following to the same tune: 

Halloween Spirits [sing]. 

There is a jolly holiday 
l That we all love well; 

About its fun and frolic, too, 

We now are going to tell. 

Yes, Halloween, the time is called. 

We know you’ll agree 

That it is full of pleasure 
For folks like you and me. 

Creepy ghosts and goblins 
Are seen ’most everywhere; 

While great black cats and wide-eyed owls 
Through every window stare; 

And ticktacks make you wonder 
Who can be prowling near; 

These are some of the things 
That make Halloween dear. 

October. Now, with a final tribute to my month, we will 
bid you adieu until next year, when we shall all return 
to you. 

All step to the Front of the stage, where they repeat the 
following together: 


DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXERCISES 


61 


All [together]. 

Hail to the month of October, 

Time of plenty and praise; 

To proclaim its beauty and bounty 
Our voices we shall ever raise. 

Hail to the month of October, 

Who brings days of great renown; 

Hail to the month of the harvest, 

The best of the whole year round. 

CURTAIN 

NOVEMBER WOODS 

CHARACTERS 

November, a tall girl dressed in brown. The outfit is spar¬ 
ingly trimmed with red and orange. 

Four Trees, boys with tight suits of dark brown. They hold 
their arms out and up to resemble tree branches. 

Six Leaves, boys with suits trimmed, y^ith brown leaves. A 
cap of brown leaves. 

Four Nuts, boys with brown suits padded to make them very 
full. 

Six Bittersweets, girls with bright orange dresses. 

Six Sumachs, girls with bright red dresses trimmed with 
green and brown. 

Six Snowflakes, girls with fluffy white dresses. White 
headbands trimmed zuith tinsel. 

Four Snowbirds, boys wearing gray suits trimmed with 
white. 

Four Children, two boys and two girls wearing outdoor 
clothes. 

Scene: A plain stage. November is seen thoughtfully en¬ 
tering as the curtain is raised. 


62 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


November. I wonder if my workers are all ready to make 
this November a success. It seems as if this last year 
has gone very rapidly. I shall hardly have time to get 
my month ready to be seen by the time it has to appear 
on the stage of the year. I will call my workers here, so 
they will be in line to go into the woods and do their 
work, as soon as October calls his last elf away. Where 
are my trees? 

The Trees enter. 

First Tree. Here we are, November. We have lost our 
last leaf and are ready to take our places in the November 
woods. 

November. It is well that you are ready, for I will need 
you soon now. Stay within my call. 

The Trees face front and sing the following to the tune of 
Farewell to the Farm. 

Trees [sing ]. 

We are the trees so brown and bare 
That brave the crisp November air; 

Oh, for our leaves we do not care, 

For now it is November. 

4 Within our boughs the buds will lie 

While all the coldest months go by; 

They do not wish to see the sky, 

For now it is November. 

November. Where are the leaves that fell from your 
boughs? I need them to blow about, if I am to make a 
real November day. 

The Leaves enter and dance about the stage. They pause 
near November. 


DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXERCISES 63 


The Leaves. Here we are, November! How do yon like 
our new dresses of fall brown? 

First Leaf. We are through with reds and greens this 
season. We shall be brown all winter. 

November. You are dressed as you should be, for I shall 
soon need some crisp brown leaves to blow about. Stay 
here, where I may call you when your turn comes to ap¬ 
pear before the public. 

The Leaves. We shall be ready to do our finest dance. 

Three Leaves then stand on each side of November. They 
face front and sing the following to the same tune: 

The Leaves [sing]. 

We’re the brown leaves of late fall. 

We’ve lost our pretty colors all; 

We answered to the wind’s rough call, 

For now it is November. 

Once we were yellow gay and red; 

And then nice things of us were said. 

But now we’re tossed about as dead, 

For now it is November. 

The music is repeated as The Leaves join arms with the 
one opposite them. They whirl lightly to the right, 
then swing apart and whirl about until they come to 
side of stage. Here they remain. 

November. What else shall I place in my woods? I ought 
to have something to reward the children for a tramp 
through the woods in the fall. 

The Four Nuts enter singing, adapting to the tune of 
Winter. 


64 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


Nuts [sing]. 

Four brown nuts fell from a tree, 

Those four small brown nuts were we; 

We’re as happy as can be, 

For now it is November. 

November. Most of the nuts have been gathered long ago, 
so you will be a surprise to whoever finds you. Perhaps 
some hungry squirrel will make a meal off of you. 

First Nut. We were shaken off the tree by some boys, but 
they did not pick us up. I am glad we are to be here 
with November and all his helpers. 

November. I am very glad to have you here, but so far 
all of my helpers have been dressed in brown. I am sure 
I shall be a very dreary month if I find no bright things 
with which to ornament my woods. The people will ex¬ 
pect to find something bright and pretty in a November 
wood. 

The Bittersweets enter. They are holding hands and 
they dance once about November before they speak. 

The Bittersweets [together]. We will help make Novem¬ 
ber bright for you. 

November. I shall be very glad to have you, but I thought 
all the Bittersweet was picked before November. 

First Bittersweet. There are always some of us to be 
found in out of the way places, if people only look for us. 
The Bittersweets then face front and sing the follow ¬ 
ing, adapting to the tune of Come Back, Sweet May. 

Bittersweets [sing]. 

Bittersweet, Bittersweet, 

Left upon the vine, 

We help make the woodland bright, 

When the winds are sighing. 


DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXERCISES 


65 


Our bright berries orange-red, 

Make the woods so bright; 

If we’re left upon the vine 
We’re a handsome sight! 

La la la, etc. 

The music is repeated while they do the following exercise: 

Measures 1-4. Each Bittersweet locks arm with the 
one next to her. They hold free arm high overhead as 
they skip halfway around the stage to the right. 
Measures 5-8. Each couple join both hands with those 
of partner. The two couples on the right side of stage 
circle around each other, while those on the left side 
skip between the two circling couples. 

Measures 9-12. All six join hands and circle about near 
the center of stage. 

Measures 13-16. Three skip each side of November, 
curtsy, and then skip back near the leaves. 

November. You certainly are a gay sight. I wonder if I 
have any more helpers like you. Do I hear the rustling of 
leaves ? 

The Sumachs enter. 

The Sumachs [together]. We are here, November. May 
we help to make your woods bright? 

November. You certainly may. Who are you bright crea¬ 
tures in such gay dresses? Some one must have told you 
that I needed cheer in my November woods. 

First Sumach. We J ll tell you who we are. 

The Sumachs face front and sing the following , adapt¬ 
ing the tune of Come Back, Sweet May. 


66 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


Sumachs [sing]. 

0 Sumach, 0 Sumach, 

With leaves green and red; 

We make the "woodlands bright, 

When the flowers are dead. 

The month of cool November 
Finds us all gay and fair; 

In spite of its chilly breath, 

We all stand brightly there. 

La la la, etc. 

They skip around stage and stand by Bittersweets. 

November. I think I am to have a very colorful month, 
if these helpers keep on arriving. I will surely rival June 
this year. Here come some creatures in pure white. They 
are the snowflakes. I always send down a few of them 
in November just to introduce them to the children. 

The Snowflakes flit lightly in. They whirl about sev¬ 
eral times before they take their places by the side of 
November. Here they sing the folloiving, adapting 
the same tune. 

The snowflakes, the snowflakes 
Come flitting to earth; 

While hearts of happy children 
Are then filled with mirth. 

We do not stay so long now, 

We just have come to call; 

Oh, we think dear old November 
The best month of all. 

La la la, etc. 

First Snowflake. As soon as we are seen on the ground 
there are a number of little feathered friends who can 
be seen everywhere about. Here are some of them now. 



DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXERCISES 67 

The Snowbirds enter singing the following, adapting the 
same tune. 

Snowbirds [sing]. 

The snowbirds, the snowbirds 
Now to you do appear; 

From field and drowsy woodland 
Their clear notes now you hear. 

We welcome each food bit 
That to us is given; 

Oh, many are the good things 
That kind November does! 

La la la, etc. 

The music is repeated while The Snowbirds and Snow- 
flakes do the following exercise: 

Measures 1-4. Each Snowbird joins arms with a Snow¬ 
flake. They skip about in a circle on the stage. 
Measures 5-8. The three couples from the left side go 
to the right side, while the three couples from the right 
side go to the left side. The lines pass at the Center 
of stage. 

Measures 9-12. The couple at left front changes places 
with the couple at right back, while the couple at right 
front changes places with the couple at left back. 
Measures 13-16. Center couples change places. All 
curtsy or bow to November and then skip to back of 
stage. 

November. My month will not be lacking in color or life 
this year, I am certain. I am very proud of all you work¬ 
ers, for I know the children will love you all. 1 am sure 
that I shall hear it said on all sides that November is 
the fairest month of all. 


68 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


November stands at Center of stage while the others all 
come near the Front at the sides and even with her at 
the Center. In this semicircular formation all sing the 
following to the same tune. 

All [sing]. 

November, oh, November, 

The very best month of all; 

We love all seasons dearly. 

But welcome most the fall! 

Fall air is most refreshing, 

All Nature is at rest; 

Oh, do you wonder, dear November, 

That we love you best? 

La la la, etc. 

CURTAIN 

A QUIET HALLOWEEN 

CHARACTERS 

Mary ^ 

Rita I Girls from ten to fourteen years of age. They 

Florence f wear ordinary school dresses. 

Helen 

Bob is wrapped from head to feet in a large white sheet. 
Ralph is dressed as a tall black witch. 

Harold wears a black-cat costume and mask. 

Jim wears a loose gray garment and a mask made like an 
owl's head. 

Scene: The living room in Mary's home. Several win¬ 
dows are seen about the room .. Cardboard window frames 



DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXERCISES 69 


may be made and hung out a little way from the wall. 
This will permit the several players to look in at the 
windows. 

Discovered: Mary and Rita seated in the room. 

Rita. I am glad that we decided just to have a quiet Hal¬ 
loween this year. We are too big to be bobbing for apples 
and throwing apple peelings over our shoulders, as we 
used to do. It seems as if we have done the same thing 
every year since we were in the first grade. 

Mary. I have heard so many of the girls say the same 
thing that I decided that a nice quiet evening at home 
would be better than anything else. Mother was invited 
to a party at the club, so I thought it would be fine to 
have you girls over. It always seems as if I am more 
grown up and really entertaining, when there is no one 
else at home. 

Rita. It was very kind of you to ask us. I heard that the 
boys wanted to come, too. 

Mary. Yes, they did want to come, but I told them they 
simply couldn’t. Mother said it wasn’t a very polite thing 
to do, but you know how boys are at a party. 

Rita. Yes, they always want something to happen every 
minute. There would be no hopes of having a quiet eve¬ 
ning with them around. 

A knock is heard at the door. 

Mary. Here are the other girls, now. I am glad they are 
arriving early, so we can settle down for a nice, cozy eve¬ 
ning. 

Mary goes to the door and admits Florence and Helen. 

They have their coats and hats on, 


70 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


Helen. Hello, girls. Oh, it is nice and cheerful in here. 
The weather is rather frosty outside. 

Florence. Hello, Mary! and there is Rita! We are all 
here now. 

Mary. Come in, girls, and take off your coats and hats. 

Rita. Let me put them away for you. [She takes their 
coats and hats off stage], 

Mary. Sit down and make yourselves comfortable. Rita 
and I were just saying that we thought a quiet evening 
at home would be lots more fun than running around the 
streets, or having a big party. 

Helen. I should say so. We are too big to be playing such 
silly pranks as we have done for the last few years. 

Florence. Mother said that I sounded like a young lady 
when I said I was going out calling, but Dad said I 
wouldn’t sound so big if I were afraid to come home 
alone. 

Rita. Nonsense! Men folks are always expecting girls to 
get excited, or faint, or something. This Halloween scare 
is just silly. There is no more danger of ghosts being 
around to-night than any other night. 

Mary. I think ghosts are pretty scarce in this part of 
the country. I wonder if anyone ever really believed he 
saw a ghost. 

Helen. My Aunt Sarah declares she has seen them. She 
says that once in a while there is a most awful racket in 
her attic and at different times she has seen something 
white just float out of the attic window and sail away. 

Florence. It was rats that made that noise, of course. 

Helen. A rat isn’t white and it couldn’t sail out of the 
window, though, could it? 

Mary. Now we were to have a nice, quiet evening, so let’s 


DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXERCISES 


71 


not start a fight over a ghost. Have some popcorn. Rita 
helped me pop it before you girls came. [She passes the 
popcorn ]. 

Florence. I always admire the corn you girls pop. It 
seems to dry up when I pop it. 

Rita. What shall we do to pass the evening ? Shall we play 
games or tell stories? 

Helen. I like to hear stories, but I don’t believe I could 
tell one that would be very interesting. 

Mary. Bob brought home a little book from the library 
to-night that he said was good. He said nearly all the 
girls at the high school had read it. I don’t know how he 
came to bring it to me, for he never does think of such 
a thing; but we can see what it is like. 

Florence. Read some of it to us, Mary. You have a better 
voice than the rest of us. 

Mary gets the book from the table and sits down in a 
big chair. The other girls draw their chairs close to 

her. 

Mary [reads from the book ]. “A long time ago an old 
woman lived all alone in a great house. She never was 
known to leave the house and no one was even seen to 
enter. No one in the village could learn how the old 
woman received her food and fuel. Yet there was always 
smoke coming out of her chimney and each day she set 
a dish of food outside for her dog. One night a man de¬ 
cided to watch the place all night to see if some one didn’t 
bring supplies to the house. Just at twelve o’clock the 
moon became less bright. The man looked around the 
tree just in time to see a white figure going up the walk. 
It knocked three times at the door—tap-tap-tap!” [As 


72 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


she reads the last ivords there is a loud “tap, tap, tap!” 
at the window. As the girls look toward the window, Bol 
flits by in his ghost costume. He pauses in front of the 
window, waves his arms, and shakes his head]. 

Helen. Wh-wh-what was that? 

Florence. Did you see something, too? I thought I did, 
but I wasn’t sure. 

Mary. It must have been a paper that blew by the window. 
Rita. I hope it was a paper, but it was big enough to wrap 
an automobile up in. 

Mary. Don’t think about it anymore and I will go on 
with the story. [Reads]. "Just as the old woman opened 
the door, the man heard the most awful groans.” 

[Terrible groans are heard by the window. The girls jump 
to their feet]. 

Helen. There is something outside there. Didn’t you* hear 
that? 

Florence. I certainly did hear it and it makes me shiver. 
Mary. It’s just one limb of the old maple tree rubbing 
against another. Sit down and let me finish the story. 
[Reads]. "The moon fell upon the figure of the old lady 
when she opened the door and the man saw she was a reg¬ 
ular witch.” 

[A brushing sound is heard at the window. The girls look 
toward the window and see Ralph, dressed as the old 
witch, hitting the window with a broom. When the girls 
jump to their feet, the figure disappears. 

Helen. I think you would better change stories, Mary. 
You certainly are making those characters appear true 
to life. 


DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXERCISES 


73 


Rita. Oh, no. I am half scared to death, but I do want 
to hear the rest of that story. 

Mary. I am afraid our imaginations are working too hard. 
Sit down again and I will go on. [Reads]. “Right 
beside the old woman stood a great black cat. Its eyes 
were as big as saucers and its tail was bushy as a fox’s. 
When it saw the white figure it meowed in a loud voice.” 
A deep voice outside the window says, “Meow, meow , 
meow!” As the girls jump to their feet, they see “the 
cat” pass in front of the window. 

Helen. You can’t tell me that I imagined I heard and saw 
that cat now, Mary Brennan. 

Mary. That certainly was a cat and a mighty big one, but 
I don’t believe there is anything to get alarmed over. Our 
new neighbors have a great big black cat and that must 
be it. Do sit down. 

Rita. I shall have to sit down, for I am too weak to stand. 
You might as well go on with the story, Mary. It may 
keep me from screaming, if I hear a sound. 

Mary. “The man crept quietly toward the house, in hopes 
of getting a better look inside. Just as he reached the 
step there was a flutter of wings over his head and a great 
owl called—” 

[A voice outside the window goes , “Whoo-oo-oo! Whoo- 
00 - 00 !”] [Mary drops her boolc and the girls all bach 
away from the window as the head of an owl appears 
above the window sill]. 

Mary. 0 girls, I really don’t know what to think of such 
strange things. I wanted to be brave, so you wouldn’t 
get so scared, and pretend these things were nothing at 
all, but it is of no use. 


74 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


Rita. I wish your father or some one would come. Oh, 
look! 

The Ghost comes to one window and stands there nod¬ 
ding its head. 

Girls [. scream ]. Oh! oh! 

Helen. Look there! [She points to another window 
where “the witch ,} stands brushing off the sill with her 
broom.'] 

Florence. I am going home. It couldn’t be as scarey out¬ 
side as it is here. 

Rita. Look at that other window! [“The cat” and “the 
owl” are seen to peer into another window.] 

Mary. Oh, what shall we do? I wish Bob were here. 

Bob. [speaking from outside]. Were you speaking of me, 
Sis? 

Mary. 0 Bob, is it really you? Come right in. 

Bob enters in street clothes. 

Bob. Are you girls having a pleasant evening all by your¬ 
selves ? 

Rita. 0 Bob, we have seen the most terrible things! Ghosts 
and witches looked right in at that window. 

Florence. Yes, and a cat and an owl as big as you are 
looked right in and nodded at us. 

Helen. What does it all mean, Bob? 

Bob. The answer to that is very simple. It means that you 
have offended these creatures in some way. 

Rita. Oh, how could we offend a cat? 

Florence. Yes, or an owl or a ghost, either? 

Bob. Are you girls ready to repair any injury that you 
did to these creatures, if I find out what caused their 
strange appearance? 


DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXERCISES 


75 


Mary. Bob, you are acting strangely. Are you at the bot¬ 
tom of this? 

Bob. Of course not. Why would you ask such a thing of 
your own brother? I am going outside and see if I can’t 
solve this mystery. [He leaves the room]. 

Helen. I hope some one solves it before it is time for me 
to go home. 

Florence. I don’t believe I shall ever dare go by a big 
house alone again. 

Bob returns carrying his ghost outfit. The other hoys en¬ 
ter, still wearing their costumes, hut with their masks 

off. 

Mary. What does this mean? 

The Other Girls [in turn]. It’s just those horrid boys! 

Bob. I think these creatures have a word to say for them¬ 
selves. 

Mary. They can say all the words they wish, but we will 
never forgive them for the way they have frightened us. 

Rita. No, nor for the way they have spoiled our nice quiet 
evening, either. 

Bob. What was it you creatures wished to say ? 

Ralph. We boys were disappointed when the girls refused 
to let us come to their Halloween party. In fact, we felt 
so badly that we made up our minds that we had to get 
here some way. 

Harold. Since you wouldn’t let us come by the usual meth¬ 
od, we decided upon this way of .introducing ourselves. 

Jim. We hope you aren’t too angry with us to let us stay, 
for we have brought apples, nuts and candy with us, to 
help make the evening a merry one. 

Mary [laughing]. I suppose we were selfish in not asking 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


76 


you in the first place, so we won’t be angry any longer, 
will we, girls? 

Girls. No, we might as well not be. 

Boys. Hurrah ! [They start taking off their costumes .] 

Mary. But there is one thing more I want to settle. Bob, 
how did you happen to bring home that particular book 
this evening? 

Bob. Why, I—I—that is, I thought you would enjoy it. 

Ralph. You should have enjoyed it, for we took an hour 
picking out the kind that would be the most appropriate 
for the occasion. 

Mary. I thought so. Now, let’s go on with our party and, 
if it hasn’t been the nice quiet one we planned on, at least 
it is one we shall not soon forget. 

curtain 


WHO BROUGHT THE HARVEST? 

CHARACTERS 

Six Raindrops, hoys with loose garments of soft gray ma¬ 
terial. 

Six Sunbeams, girls in bright yellow dresses made with 
many points and frills. 

Six Wind Elves, girls with suits of light blue , with many 
streamers. 

Six Soil Soldiers, b6ys with suits of black , and black over 
heads and faces with holes cut for the eyes. 

Six Kernels of Corn, boys wearing blight red suits and 
yellow caps. Yellow hose complete the costume. 

Six Workers ; Three of these are girls who wear aprons and 


DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXERCISES 


77 


sunbonnets and three are boys who wear overalls and 
straw hats. 

The Harvest Spirit: a tall girl in a bright yellow dress 
trimmed with a great many streamers of brown, red 
and green. Autumn leaves are worn on her shoulders 
and at her waist. Her crown is made of various bright- 
colored leaves. 

Scene: The stage represents an autumn scene. Bright 
leaves and cornstalks are used. When the curtain rises 
the Harvest Spirit is seen standing at the center of the 
stage. 

The Harvest Spirit. Once again the season of the Har¬ 
vest Spirit has arrived. How proud I am, when I look 
about and see the results of my year’s work! In the olden 
days the people always observed a feast day in honor of 
Pomona, the Goddess of the Harvest. The people have 
always been grateful for a bountiful crop and have been 
anxious to give thanks to the great Father who sent it 
to them. A failure of the crops would mean suffering and 
famine. The Harvest Festival comes near the time of 
our Halloween, so it is fitting that these two occasions 
should be celebrated together. I wonder why it always is 
that the little seeds that are planted grow just as they 
should. 

The Raindrops enter and dance around The Harvest 
Spirit. 

The Raindrops. We know why the little seeds grow just 
as they do, for we help them. If it were not for our help, 
I don’t believe those tiny seeds ever could find their way 
through the soil. 


78 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


The Harvest Spirit. What little gray creatures are these ? 

Surely you don’t look much like harvest workers. 

First Raindrop. We are harvest workers, though. Our 
work began many months ago, but we are harvest workers 
just the same. 

Second Raindrop. We are the little raindrops that gave 
moisture to each seed that was planted in the ground. If 
it had not been for us, there would have been no need for 
harvest workers. 

The Harvest Spirit. So you are the little raindrops I 
have heard so much about. Won’t you tell me more of 
your work? 

The Raindrops sing the following to the tune of Harvest 
Time. 

Raindrops [sing]. 

Softly falls each little raindrop 
On the ground below; 

We give moisture to the plants. 

Helping them to grow. 

On the hard ground we come falling, 

To each little plant we are calling, 

Through the hard earth ever seeping 
To each root we go. 

The above music is repeated as The Raindrops join hands 
and skip lightly around The Harvest Spirit. They 
then let go of hands and turn slowly and softly toward 
the sides of stage, where they drop to their knees and 
bury their heads in their arms. On the last notes they 
rise, fold their arms and remain standing in place. 

The Harvest Spirit. What interesting little creatures 
these raindrops are! I suppose there are many other 


DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXERCISES 


79 


little nature children who do as much as these to bring 
about a bountiful harvest. 

The Sunbeams come shipping in , holding hands. 

First Sunbeam. You are right, Harvest Spirit. There are 
a great many nature children always working to bring 
successful crops to the people. 

The Harvest Spirit. What bright, pretty creatures these 
are! Are you harvest workers, too ? 

First Sunbeam. Our work goes on the year round, for wC 
are the Sunbeam children. This world would be a dreary 
place, indeed, if it were not for us. We shine to light the 
earth, to warm the soil and to bring health to living things. 
The Harvest Spirit. I am sure every one loves the bright 
sunshine, but just what work do you do to bring about 
a bountiful harvest? 

Second Sunbeam. We will tell you. 

The Sunbeams form a semicircle to the right of the 
Harvest Spirit, while they sing the following to the 
tune of All Through the Night. 

Sunbeams [sing]. 

Merry little sunbeams shine 
All through the year; 

Keeping nature warm and bright 
All through the year. 

Without us, plants would not grow, 

Earth would be bare here below, 

Earth children would miss us so, 

All through the year. 

The music is repeated as The Sunbeams join hands in 
couples. One couple glides to each front corner and the 
other couple to the front center of stage. Here they let 


80 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


go of hands, join their hands over their heads, and turn 
slowly to the right. They then move with a turning, 
gliding step to the side of The Baindrops, where they 
remain. 

The Harvest Spirit. How many interesting things we 
can learn when we have a chance to talk to the children 
of nature! I am sure many people never pause long 
enough in their busy lives to appreciate these common¬ 
place things about them. Here come .some other little 
folks. I suppose they, too, had a part in making this 
feast for Thanksgiving Hay possible. 

The Wind Elves enter with a whirling motion. They 
make a “Woo-woo-o-o!” sound with their lips as they 
enter. 

The Harvest Spirit. These are blustering little chaps. 
I can guess right off that you are the wind elves. I have 
heard that mournful sound of yours many times in the 
tree tops. 

First Wind Elf. You are right. We are the wind elves. 
But why do you say that the sound of our passing is sor¬ 
rowful? We are jolly little fellows who do lots of good. 

Second Wind Elf. Sometimes we are accused of doing 
damage, but that is only when we get going so fast that 
we cannot stop. We do much more good than we do harm. 

The Harvest Spirit. What work do you do besides sigh¬ 
ing in the trees? I am sure that is the only work I have 
ever seen you doing. 

Third Wind Elf. I blow the warm breath of the south 
land upon all the growing things. The warm air that 
means life and growth to many plants is carried on my 
wings. 


DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXERCISES 


81 


Fourth Wind Elf. I carry the moisture from the ocean 
and distribute it far inland. Without me the crops would 
die of thirst, for the little raindrops would not be strong 
enough to reach everywhere without my aid. The rain¬ 
drops and I are very good friends, so we work together 
to make the whole earth a pleasanter place in which to 
live. 

The Harvest Spirit. What a noble purpose! If mortals 
would all follow your example, this earth certainly would 
be a perfect home for all. What work do you other wind 
elves do? I am sure none of you busy little fellows are 
ever idle. 

Fifth Wind Elf. In the winter time I bring a heavy 
blanket of snow to lay over the ground. This keeps the 
little plants and seeds from being frozen by the cold 
blasts and from being killed by the ice. 

Sixth Wind Elf. I carry the pollen to the plants, so that 
all may grow and produce fruit. You see. Harvest Spirit, 
the wind has a great deal of work to do in order that the 
harvest may be bountiful. 

The Harvest Spirit. I should say you do. I see it is 
not going to be an easy task to decide who really brings 
us the gift of the harvest. 

Wind Elves [together]. We help, but there are many other 
helpers, too. Woo-Woo-oo-o-o! 

As they continue their “ivoo-oo-ing” sound, they ship 
around the stage and one stands by each Sunbeam and 

Raindrop. 

All join in singing, adapting the following to the tune of 
Little April. 


82 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


All [sing]. 

Sunbeams, raindrops and wind elves, 

These and others, too, 

Make a splendid harvest 
Here on the earth for you. 

Ever they are working. 

They all do their best; 

You just take care of the crop, 

They will do the rest. 

Chorus: 

Sunbeams, raindrops and wind elves, 

These and others, too, 

Make a splendid harvest 
Here on earth for you. 

The Six Soil Soldiers come rushing in. 

First Soil Soldier. I hope you have not forgotten us, 
while you were speaking of the harvest workers. We are 
really very diligent workers, although we aren’t so pretty 
to look at as some of the others. 

The Harvest Spirit. We never judge people’s work by 
their looks, my friends. I cannot seem to recognize you, 
though, as any workers I have ever seen or heard of. Tell 
us who you are and what you do, so we may judge whether 
or not you deserve a place in our army of harvest workers. 
The Six Soil Soldiers sing the following to the tune of 
The Jolly Workers. 

Six Soil Soldiers [sing]. 

Six jolly little soldier boys, 

Of the soil we are; 

We carry the life-giving food 
To plants both near and far. 

Oh, nitrogen and minerals 
Make all the plants grow! 

Just what every seedling needs, 

Oh, that is what we know. 


DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXERCISES 


83 


The Harvest Spirit. So you are the soldiers of the soil. 
Then, indeed, your work is important enough to give you 
a place among the harvest workers. Without good soil the 
worker could have little hope of a successful crop. 

First Soil Soldier. Just as the other workers could not 
bring about a successful harvest without us, neither could 
we have success without them and without other workers 
who do their part so well. 

The Harvest Spirit. I would like to see all those other 
workers who help bring about so bountiful a harvest. 

Second Soil Soldier. Here come some little helpers now 
who are very important. They will tell you of the work 
they do. 

The Six Kernels of Corn enter . 

The Harvest Spirit. These look familiar. Where have I 
seen them before? 

First Kernel. We are the little kernels of corn that are 
planted in the spring. As soon as the soft earth covers 
us and the raindrops give us moisture, we begin to grow. 

Second Kernel. Soon we are able to raise our heads above 
the earth and peep out. The sun sees us at once and 
comes to strengthen us. Then, with the aid of warm sun¬ 
shine and refreshing showers, we just grow to our heart’s 
content. 

Third Kernel. We grow until we have very high stalks 
and bright colored tassels. Then the ears of corn appear. 

The Harvest Spirit. What busy lives you lead! I see that 
all you workers need one another to help you along. 

Fourth Kernel. There are other helpers who aid us, too. 
Here they come, now. 

The Six Workers enter, carrying hoes and rakes. They 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


84 


march around the stage, appearing to hoe as they sing 
the first verse of Work for the Night is Coming. 
They then pause near The Harvest Spirit. 

The Harvest Spirit. What are you children working so 
busily at to-day? Surely the time for hoeing and raking 
is over for this year. 

First Boy Worker. We are showing you how we work in 
the field to keep the corn and grain free from weeds. 
Without our work all seeds would be smothered, for they 
would not be strong enough to push back the many weeds 
that grow near them. 

First Girl Worker. We must use our rakes to make the 
ground smooth and free from lumps. No plant could 
push its way through a large lump of dirt, no matter how 
hard it might try. 

The Harvest Spirit. I am glad to see that the children 
here are willing workers, for I know the many tasks their 
little hands can do to make the work easier for their fa¬ 
thers and mothers. 

Second Boy Worker. Our work does not only come in the 
springtime, for all summer there are weeds to be pulled 
and hoed out. We must be ever on the watch for enemies 
that would destroy our crops. 

Second Girl Worker. We care for our gardens so that 
we may have vegetables for the fall and winter. 

The Harvest Spirit. I see now that it would be impossible 
for me to select any one group of workers who make the 
harvest bountiful, so I must give you all credit for mak¬ 
ing a real Thanksgiving Day possible. 

All join in singing the following to the tune of October's 
Party. 


DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXERCISES 


85 


All [ sing ]. 

Workers all are needed 
To bring about success; 

To make a bountiful harvest, 

Each one does his best. 

Day by day we are striving 
To use the gifts of God, 

To bring about a harvest 
From this virgin sod. 

We are workers, workers all. 

We are never shirking; 

To make our land more prosperous, 

For that we are working. 

From early in the morning 
Unto late each night 

Always we are striving 
To do what is right. 

Repeat music for the following exercise: 

Movement 1. The Sunbeam, Raindrop, Soldier and 
Kernel of Corn from the back of the right side come 
forward and form a circle around the Harvest Spirit. 
They then come forward and form a circle near the 
Front of stage. They circle around once here as before 
and then go off stage. 

Movement 2. Each group of Sunbeams, Raindrops, etc., 
repeat above movement until all are off stage. 

Movement 3. The six workers form a circle around the 
Harvest Spirit and, as they circle around her, they 
sing second verse of “Work for the Night Is Coming. 5 ’ 

Movement 4. With the Harvest Spirit leading and 
the children following in couples, all leave the stage. 


gujtTAitf 


86 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


THE SPIRIT OF HALLOWEEN 

CHARACTERS 

The Halloween Spirit, a tall girl who wears a long, full, 
orange dress trimmed with black, with a wreath of au¬ 
tumn flowers in her hair. 

The Witches, any number of girls in long black dresses 
and tall black hats. Each one carries a short-handled 
broom. 

Eight Goblins, four small boys and four small girls. They 
wear black-and-orange pointed caps and have wide sashes 
around their waists. 

The Ghosts, any number of children completely wrapped 
in sheets. A white mask with holes for the eyes is worn 
over the face. 

The Cats, boys wearing black cambric suits, with pointed 
ears and long whiskers. Their tails are stuffed. 

School Children, any number of girls and boys in ordi¬ 
nary school clothes. 

The Story-Teller, a large girl with a good speaking voice. 
She is dressed as an elderly lady. 

The Pumpkins, any number of children with orange paper 
arranged over their heads to resemble pumpkins. Large 
green leaves are worn on top of the head. Holes for the 
eyes and mouth are cut in the orange paper in jack-o'- 
lantern style. 

Chorus. If desired a chorus may be placed at one end of 
the platform, or the above named characters may do the 
singing. If the number used in each group is large enough, 
or if they can sing well enough, each group may sing their 
own song. 


DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXERCISES 


87 


The stage is attractively decorated with orange-and-black 
crepe paper. Paper lanterns are hung from the streamers 
and the letters “H-A-L-L-O-W-E-E-N” appear at the bach 
of the stage. Soft music is played as The Halloween 
Spirit enters and points to the letters with the black-and- 
orange wand she carries. 

Halloween Spirit. H-a-l-l-o-w-e-e-n, Halloween. Oh, I 
am so glad that I am free once more. You have no idea 
how hard it is for the Halloween Spirit to have to be shut 
up so great a part of the year. You know it is only dur¬ 
ing this last week of October that I am allowed to come 
out of my hiding place to fill the world with my fun and 
frolic. It is strange that there is no one here to greet me 
upon my arrival. I hope every one hasn’t forgotten me. 
The Witches enter silently. 

First Witch. Indeed, we haven’t forgotten you, dear Spirit 
of Halloween. We witches have been as anxious as you 
have for Halloween to come again, for that is the only 
time we get the attention that we deserve. 

Halloween Spirit. I am glad to welcome you, dear 
witches, for you belong to Halloween celebrations. Haven’t 
you some news to tell me about yourselves? 

The Witches walk in a circle about the stage , as they 
sing the following to the tune of Tramp, Tramp, 
Tramp. 

Witches [sing']. 

From the land of witches old 
We have ventured forth to-night 
To tell you of something that we witches do; 

We ride far across the sky 
And we sweep the moon on high, 

Oh, there’s a lot of things that we each do for you, 


88 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


Chorus: 

Watch, watch, watch! 

There’s always danger 
When we witches prowl about; 

Oft on scarey Halloween, 

At your very door we’re seen, 

So ’tis best for you to watch, watch out. 

We tell fortunes gay and sad, 

We foretell things good and bad; 

Oh, we witches are the busiest people seen. 

But if you are riot very good, 

We would grab you if you should 
But happen ’cross our path on Halloween. 

First Witch [Witches speak in slow, shaky voice]. 


Boil and stew, 

Boil and J stew, 

That is what we witches do. 

Second Witch. 

Stew and boil, 

Stew and boil, 

Ever, ever we must toil. 


Third Witch. 


Sailing, sailing, 
High and low; 
Everywhere we 


witches 


es^. 


All [together]. 

Never seen, 

Never seen, 

Except on jolly Halloween. 




As The Witches, say the last words , they shake their 
heads sadly and then go to the hack of the stage, where 
they remain during the remainder of the play. 


DIALOGUES, PLAYS AXD EXERCISES 


89 


Halloween Spirit. You witches haven’t changed much 
in the many years I have known you, but there is always 
something interesting about you. You help give that 
“spooky” feeling to this holiday which every one delights 
in. I wonder where all my other little workers can be. 

The Eight Goblins enter in couples. They dance gayly 
about the Halloween Spirit. 

Halloween Spirit. Well, if here aren’t the little Hal¬ 
loween goblins. How cheerful you all look! I know you 
must have a jolly song and dance ready for me. Let me 
see if you have learned some new capers during the year. 

The Eight Goblins step to the front of the stage , where 
they sing the following to the tune of Yankee Doodle. 
[They may be assisted by the chorus or other characters 
if desired .] 

Goblins [sing]. 

Oh, once in every jolly year, 

There comes a time for fun; 

Now’s that time we love so well 
For Halloween’s begun. 

Chorus: 

Goblins, goblins in the air, 

Goblins, goblins everywhere; 

Up and down and all around 
And so you’d best beware. 

Oh, jolly fellows all are we. 

With lots of fun and laughter; 

We’re only seen on Halloween 
But never, never after. 

Chorus: 

The music is repeated while one couple takes its place at 
each corner of a square. Partners face each other . 


90 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


PART I 

Measures 1-4. Partners join right hands and skip to 
the right. 

Measures 5-8. Partners join left hands and skip to 
the left. 

Measures 9-12. All place hands on hips and skip toward 
front of stage. 

Measures 13-16. All bow low to audience and skip back 
to original places. 

PART II 

Measures 1-4. Partners shake forefinger of right hand at 
each other and then turn quickly about to the right. 

Measures 5-8. Partners shake forefinger of left hand at 
partner and turn quickly about to the left. 

Measures 9-12. All face front, place hands on hips and 
skip three steps away from partners. 

Measures 13-16. All turn and bow to partners. Then 
skip three steps back to place. 

PART III 

Measures 1-4. The girl near right rear corner of stage 
changes places with the girl in the front left corner. 
All others turn about to the right as the change is be¬ 
ing made. 

Measures 5-8. The girl in the left rear corner changes 
places with the one in the front right corner. All turn 
to the left as the change is being made. 

Measures 9-12. All grasp hand of new partner and skip 
away from couple opposite. 

Measures 13-16. All bow to original partners and skip 
back to place. • 


DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXERCISES 


91 


PART IV 

Measures 1-4. The first ones that changed partners re¬ 
turn to original partners in the same manner as de¬ 
scribed above. 

Measures 5-8. Those who change partners during the 
second movement return to first partners. 

Measures 9-12. The four nearest the front join hands, 
advance to front of stage, bow and skip to left side of 
stage, while those near back of stage hold hands high 
over heads and turn about to the right. 

Measures 13-16. Those near back of stage repeat above 
movement. At the close they pass to the right side of 
stage, where they remain during the remainder of the 
number. 

Halloween Spirit. I am pleased to see that all my gob¬ 
lins are as lively and happy as ever. They really do a 
great deal to liven up this sober ’old world. Still, they 
never do any real harm to people. It is only an act of 
kindness to make people laugh once in a while. What 
odd looking creatures are these coming in? Oh, it’s my 
famous brigade of black cats! And how well they’re look¬ 
ing! 

The Black Cats enter on their hands and Tcnees. When 
they reach the Halloween Spirit, they stand up and 
how. 

First Black Cat. We are surely glad that you have made 
your escape after another long year, Halloween Spirit, 
for it is no fun being shut up in a box as we have been. 
As soon as *last Haloween was over, some one jerked us 
off the windows and curtains and tucked us away out of 
sight. The best authorities will tell you that a dark box 
is no place for a black cat. 


92 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


Second Black Cat. People seem to have the foolish no¬ 
tion that black cats bring bad luck. That is all nonsense, 
for no cat will harm you if you don’t hurt him first. Of 
course, we are Halloween cats, so it is safer to keep out 
of our way. 

The Black Cats then drop down and walk with their 
hands and feet. They ■ move about the stage , singing the 
following, adapting the lines to the tune of Baa, Baa, 
Black Sheep. 

Black Cats [sing]. 

Black cats we, 

Black cats we. 

See how we crawl, 

See how we crawl, 

We’ll all be out on Halloween; 

’Most everywhere we will be seen. 

We’re working for our festive Queen, 

Don’t you see? 

The Black Cats then go to Center Rear of stage. 

Halloween Spirit. I believe you black cats have a new 
song, but outside of that, you look just the same as you 
always have. I don’t believe Halloween ever could be quite 
the same without your gleaming eyes and your big, bushy 
tails. You surely help to make the jolly day the gay time 
that it is. 

The Ghosts now enter in single file. They wear stock¬ 
ings over their shoes , so as to make no noise. They shake 
their heads and make tfa/rious movements with their 
arms , as they march around. After passing around the 
two or three times , they pause in a line across 
the front and speak in “ghostly voices” the following 
lines. 


DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXERCISES 


93 


Ghosts [together]. 

We are ghosts of long ago 
(each line is followed by a number of “Ooo-ooo’s”) 

Some of us I’m sure you know; 

One in cornfields is found 
To scare folks who wander round. 

He lurks behind a shock of corn 
And never goes away ’till morn. 

The Ghosts then pass around the stage, shaking their 
heads and wiping their eyes. They return to the front 
and recite the following: 

Ghosts [together]. 

When the night is very dark 
We go out on a little lark; 

W'hen you have the least fear, 

We may be waiting right near. 

But it’s all in fun, you know, 

Even when we scare you so. 

The Ghosts pass around the stage once more and return 
to the Front. 

Ghosts [together]. 

Now we all must say adieu, 

For we’ve much work to do. 

Halloween is almost here, 

So everywhere we must appear. 

Good night, all, and don’t be scared. 

No one ill with us has fared. 

The Ghosts now go to the back of the stage and stand 
near the Black Cats. 

Halloween Spirit. I suppose there is no cause to be 
frightened, but I must confess that you ghosts always 
do give me a creepy feeling. Of course I know you are 


94 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN - BOOK 


just some of my workers who make Halloween a merry 
time, but I seem to forget that when I see you and hear 
your hollow voices. I am sure every one here knows how 
it would seem to meet one of you on their way through 
a lonely cornfield at night. Here comes a lady who has 
helped me out for many years. I wonder if, she has some¬ 
thing new for this Halloween. 

The Story-Teller- enters and stands by the Halloween 
Spirit. 

The Story-Teller. I have been very anxious to see you, 
dear Spirit of Halloween, for I have some new things for 
you this season. I have worked all the year gathering 
stories to please the children this Halloween. I have 
some that are very beautiful. They are about the harvest 
king and the autumn elves. I have others that almost 
make me shiver when I tell them. They are about the 
cats and ghosts and goblins, such as you have here with 
you., 

Halloween Spirit. A good story is a delightful part of 
every Halloween. Not only the children but grown-ups 
as well enjoy a delightful tale about this day. Later I 
shall have you tell me the new stories you have found, 
but I know all of my little workers are anxious to get 
to work now, so I must not keep them. What funny look¬ 
ing little chaps these are I see coming. I wonder who 
they can be? 

The Pumpkins enter with a lively step and pass around 
the stage , bowing to all they meet. They form a semi¬ 
circle near the front of the stage, where they all join 
in singing the following to the tune of The Jolly 
Workers. 


DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXERCISES 


95 


Pumpkins [sing]. 

We’re jolly little pumpkin heads, 

Yes, that is what we are; 

To make a little fun for you 
Oh, we have traveled far. 

On the green vines we were growing. 

So big and fat and round; 

Now we’ve changed to jack-o’-lanterns 
To frighten the whole town. 

Some of us into pies are made, 

While others candles hold; 

* Of our good deeds of bravery 
Many true tales are told. 

Oh, every one is pleased with us 
% Wherever we do go, 

For it is pumpkins just like us 
Make Halloween, you know. 

The music is repeated for the following dance. 

Measures 1-4. All form a circle at Center of stage and 
join hands. 

Measures 5-8. The circle spreads out as much as pos¬ 
sible as all skip to the Right. 

Measures 9-12. Two pumpkins join hands and skip to 
each corner, where they shake their heads vigorously 
at each other. 

Measures 13-16. All bow to audience and skip back to 
place in circle. 

Measures 1-4.. All join hands and circle lightly to the 
left. 

Measures 5-8. Every other one in circle steps one place 
ahead to form couples. 


96 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


Measures 9-12. Partners face, join both hands, and skip 
across stage to change places with the couple opposite 
them. 

Measures 13-16. All come near Front of stage. They 
bow low to audience and skip to back of stage, where 
they remain. 

Halloween Spirit. It would be very hard to imagine a 
successful Halloween without any pumpkins. Every one 
enjoys seeing the familiar face of old Mr. Jack-o’-Lantern. 
I am sure we all enjoy those delightful pies for which the 
dear little pumpkins are responsible. I believe all my 
workers are here now, so I will give out the duties which 
must be done this season. The witches were here first, so 
I will tell you what you are to do to make this Halloween 
a success. 

The School Children enter. Some of them have tick - 
tacks. One has a small garden gate and the others have 
some object suggestive of Halloween. 

First School Child. I hope you haven’t forgotten about 
us, Halloween Spirit. Surely the school children have 
something to do with making Halloween the happy time 
it is. If it wasn’t for our ticktacks and harmless pranks, 
a lot of the fun would be missing. We know that some¬ 
times thoughtless people do things that cause damage to 
other people’s property, but that is not the true spirit of 
the season. It spoils the fun for those who suffer loss, 
and we are sorry to have such things done. 

Halloween Spirit. I am glad to hear you say that, for 
it grieves me very much when I hear of some one who 
has been made unhappy on my festival by some mean 
prank. I certainly do think the children have a great deal 


DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXERCISES 


97 


to do with Halloween, for if it were not for their fun 
and their parties, my day would be almost forgotten. You 
are welcome to a place with my workers, children. 
Second School Child. Thank you, dear Halloween Spirit. 
We should all sing a song of praise of your happy holiday! 

The Halloween Spirit comes to the Center Front of 
stage. All the others move as far Front as possible. All 
join in singing the following to the tune of Battle 
Hymn of the Republic. 

All [ sing ]. 

You all have seen the different things that make up Halloween, 

The ghosts and goblins, witches, cats—all have been seen; 

Although there’s always lots of fun, there’s nothing really mean 
About this joyous time. 

Chorus: 


Glory, glory, Halloween! 
Glory, glory, Halloween! 
Glory, glory, Halloween! 
It is a joyous time. 


WHO MADE THE PIE? 

CHARACTERS 


Mother Betson : a tall girl dressed as a middle-aged lady. 
She wears a house dress and a light apron. 


these two daughters of Mother Betson are about 
twelve and fourteen years of age. They wear 
dainty house dresses and light aprons. 



Aunt Clarabelle: a woman dressed fashionably and too 
young for her age. 


98 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


The Laundry Boy: a young man in ivhite jacket and cay. 
The Bakery Boy: much the same as above. 

Horace Granthers: Aunt Clarabella has designs upon 
him. 


ACT I 

Scene: The Betson Kitchen. Time: The Morning of 
Halloween. 

Discovered: Mother Betson and the two girls standing 
in the kitchen. There are a mixing bowl and several pie 
tins on the work table near where Mother Betson is 
standing. 

Mother Betson. I certainly do hate to leave without 
finishing these pies, for I know just how fond of them 
your Aunt Clarabella is, but I simply must hurry! Mrs. 
Mathews never sends for me unless she really needs me. 
That baby of hers would die of the croup one of these 
days, if it wasn’t for me. 

Clara. I wouldn’t worry about Aunt Clarabella, Mother, 
if I were you. You are always thinking of some way to 
please her when she comes here, but I never see her put¬ 
ting herself out any for us. 

Marie. Dad says that all she comes here for is to see that 
Horace Granthers she is so crazy over. 

Mother Betson. Perhaps he is right, but you mustn’t 
speak of your aunt like that. She always spends Hal¬ 
loween with us because she is so fond of my pumpkin 
pies. I haven’t quite finished them, but I must leave 
anyway. I’m sure that little tyke across the way is more 
important than whether we have pumpkin pie on Hal¬ 
loween or not. 


DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXERCISES 


99 


Clara. I am sure I can finish the pies, Mother. I have 
watched you make them so often that I believe I know 
just how. 

Mother Betson. Well, do the best you can, girls. Per¬ 
haps your aunt will come while I am gone. If she does, 
treat her nicely. 

The Girls. We will, Mother. 

[Mother Betson leaves and Clara turns to the table]. 

Clara. I didn’t think to ask Mother just how far along 
with these pies she had got. Did you notice what she 
put in last? 

Marie. No, I was outside until after Mrs. Mathews left. 
Can’t you tell by tasting it what is in it? 

[Clara pretends to taste the contents of the mixing bowl]. 

Clara. Well, there is pumpkin in it. I am certain of that. 

Marie. Silly! You didn’t need to taste it to find that 
out, did you? Let me take the spoon. [ Tastes mixture.] 
Pumpkin seems to be all I can taste, but I am sure there 
is more in it than that. Let’s look around and perhaps 
we can see what she has used. 

Clara. Here are some eggshells, so she must have put in 
the eggs. 

Marie. Yes, and the milk bottle is almost empty, so she 
must have put the milk in, too. What else do you put 
in pumpkin pie? 

Clara. Why, I don’t know. There must be something else, 
but what do you suppose it is? 

Marie. That pumpkin looks awfully light-colored. Mother’s 
pies are always dark. I have heard Aunt Clarabella say 
that is why she likes them. She just can’t eat light 
pumpkin pie. 


100 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


Clara. I know what is missing. I don’t understand why 
I didn’t think of it sooner. It’s the spice. 

Marie. Spice, sure enough. That is all it needs. I know 
right where the spices are, too. 

Clara. Well, you find them, and we’ll hurry along. She’ll 
be here before we even have the pies in the oven. 

A knock is heard and the Laundry Boy enters. 

Laundry Boy. Laundry, laundry, ma’am. 

Clara. Bring it right in the other room and I will look 
over the list and pay you. Mother left the money for you. 
The Laundry Boy and Clara leave, the room. 

Marie. I may as well go right ahead with these pies, for 
Clara always visits half an hour with that fellow when 
Mother isn’t around. [ Stirs the mixture.] Now we were 
all ready for the spice. I wonder what spices Mother uses. 
I suppose it doesn’t make much difference, so long as it 
makes the pies dark. [She goes to the shelf and returns 
with several small tin 'boxes.'] Here is some allspice. That 
ought to be good. [She puts in a spoonful.] Pepper. I 
never heard of putting pepper in pie, but Aunt Clarabella 
likes lots of it on her potatoes and meat, so I suppose 
one teaspoonful won’t hurt. “Celery salt,” it says on this 
box. I like celery salt, so I am going to put enough in 
so you can taste it. Nutmeg is good, too, so here goes a 
big spoonful of that. Now I will stir it all up a little and 
see if it looks more like it does when Mother makes it. 
The Laundry Boy and Clara return to the kitchen. 

Laundry Boy. Thank you. Miss Clara. I must hurry 
along. 

Clara. Thank you, Robert. We are glad to have such 
prompt laundry service. 


DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXERCISES 101 


Marie. Robert, humph! IPs a good thing Mother didn’t 
hear that, for she has no use for that laundry boy since 
the time he left her towels at Mrs. Goodrich’s house and 
that lady said she never saw so many holes in one package 
in her life. 

The Laundry Boy leaves and Clara comes over to the 
table. 

Clara. How are you getting along with the pie? 

Just then a small bell is heard outside and the Bakery 
Boy appears at the door. 

Bakery Boy. Any bakery this morning, ma’am? 

Marie. Oh, Mother said I could pick out some things to 
take to that Halloween party to-night. We are each to 
take something. 

Clara. Run out to the wagon and pick out what you want. 
You have your own money, haven’t you? 

Marie. Yes, and Mother said I might use it for things for 
this party. I know there will be some good cakes on the 
wagon this morning. 

Marie and the Bakery Boy leave the room. 

Clara. Now, I must hurry up with these pies. It is al¬ 
most time for Aunt Clarabella to be here and I know 
Mother won’t get home for hours. It always takes such 
a time to bring that baby out of one of those croupy spells. 
I see Marie has found all the spices for me. I won’t take 
long to put them in now. Let’s see. I believe Mother puts 
in quite a bit of ginger. [She picks up one tin and puts 
several teaspoons of the contents into the mixture ]. This 
is the cinnamon. I think Mother uses quite a bit of that. 
Cayene pepper. I don’t remember hearing Mother say she 
used that, but I believe a little of it won’t hurt. Aunt 


102 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


Clarabella likes lots of spice in her pies and I do want 
her to say this one is as good as she ever ate. [Clara 
puts in several teaspoonfuls from each box.] Now I will 
mix it all and put it into these crusts. [She does so.] 
The oven is hot, so they will be baked in no time. 

[If there is an oven arranged on the stage, the pies are 
placed in it. If not, the pies are carried off, stage.] 
Clara. Now, that is all done. I must get the kitchen 
cleaned up. 

Marie enters, carrying a large sack. 

Marie. I bought the best things. I know the girls will all 
be delighted with them. Are the pies all made? 

Clara. The pies are in the oven, but you must help me 
with the rest of the kitchen work. [The door bell rings.] 
There is the door bell now. 

Marie. Yes, and it is Aunt Clarabella at the front door. 
Come, we must let her in. 

curtain 

ACT II 

The kitchen furniture is removed and a sofa and easy 
chair are placed on the stage. When the curtain rises. 
Aunt Clarabella and Marie are seated and Clara 
is standing near them. 

Aunt Clarabella. I am certainly sorry that your mother 
was called away so suddenly, but I do hope she will be 
able to do the baby some good. I would be perfectly help¬ 
less around an infant. 

Clara [aside]. Or anywhere else, for that matter. 

Marie. Mother hated to leave, but she told us to entertain 
you in here until she came. 


DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXERCISES 103 


Aunt Clarabella. She did. 

Clara. What she meant was that you were not to think 
of doing any work, if we didn’t have it all done. She just 
wanted you to rest after your ride. 

Aunt Clarabella. Oh, I wouldn’t know where to start 
at housework. I am perfectly helpless about the house. I 
hope your mother won’t be kept so long at the neighbor’s 
that she won’t be able to make one of those lovely pies 
of hers for supper. My visit wouldn’t be the same with¬ 
out a piece of one of your mother’s famous pie. 

Clara. You won’t be disappointed about the pies, Aunt 
Clarabella. They are baked and on the shelf waiting for 
you to have a piece of them whenever you wish. I believe 
some one is coming up the walk. 

Marie. It is Horace Granthers. He must have known you 
were here, Aunt Clarabella. 

Aunt Clarabella. That young scamp! He just follows 
me around every time I come here. You girls just go on 
with your work and I will entertain him. 

Clara. We will do that, if you don’t mind. Remember, 
you can help yourself to the pie whenever you wish. We 
are going out in the garden to get some vegetables. 

Aunt Clarabella. Run along and take your time, so you 
select nice firm ones. 

The girls leave and the door hell rings. Aunt Clara¬ 
bella goes to the door and ushers in Horace Gran¬ 
thers. He wears large spectacles and carries a bouquet 
of somewhat wilted flowers in his hand. 

Aunt Clarabella. Why, Horace! Dear Horace! How did 
it happen that you chanced over when I was here? 

Horace Granthers. Yes, hello, yes, I say! That is, you 


104 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


know I knew they knew you were coming and Mrs. Bet- 
son mentioned the fact the other day, so I came because 
you were here on purpose. 

Aunt Clarabella. Oh, I am so flattered! What a beauti¬ 
ful bouquet you have! 

Horace Granthers. They aren’t so pretty as they were, 
for the frost bit them a little last week. They were beau¬ 
ties last fall, but they don’t hardly pay to raise. I sold 
only about four dollars’ worth this year. 

Aunt Clarabella. But they are pretty to look at. I am 
very fond of those kinds of flowers. 

Horace Granthers. Are you? If I had known that, I 
would have brought you some. I am taking these over to 
Bill Watson. I promised him something out of the gar¬ 
den when he plowed it for me for nothing. 

Aunt Clarabella [settling bach in chair ]. Oh ! 

Horace Granthers. Vegetables are more profitable to 
raise. You can sell them, as a rule, and if you can’t sell 
them, you can eat them. I am powerfully fond of good 
things to eat. 

Aunt Clarabella. So am I. I can cook some really good 
things, too. 

Horace Granthers. You can? I have always said the 
wife I marry must be a good cook. Of course, I don’t want 
her to be wasteful, but she must be able to cook. 

Aunt Clarabella. You have the right idea. A woman 
who cannot cook is not a fit wife for any man. Would 
you like to sample some of my cooking? 

Horace Granthers. You haven’t been doing any cooking 
since you came here to-day, have you? 

Aunt Clarabella. Well, you see Mrs. Betson was called 
suddenly over to Mrs. Mathews’, so I wanted to help out 


DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXERCISES 105 


a little. I just made a few pumpkin pies. They always 
have pumpkin pie here on Halloween. 

Horace Granthers. That was right kind of you, I must 
say. I like a woman that has a little ambition about her. 
It shows that she has brains and is willing to use them. 
Aunt Clarabella. Then would you like to try a piece of 
my pie? Of course, it probably isn’t as good as I usually 
make, for I had to hurry and some of the ingredients 
aren’t quite the same as I have at home. 

Horace Granthers. I should be delighted to have a piece 
of pie made by such dainty white hands. It will certainly 
be a treat to an old bachelor like myself. 

[Aunt Clarabella leaves the room.'] 

So she really can cook and she is willing to work. If I 
had known that, I would have asked her to marry me 
long ago, but I always thought she was more of a friv¬ 
olous nature. 

[Aunt Clarabella returns with a large piece of pump¬ 
kin pie on a little plate. She hands the plate and a 
fork to him.] 

Aunt Clarabella. Here it is, Horace. I do hope you 
like it. 

Horace Granthers. It looks lovely. It is so nice and 
dark. I adore dark pumpkin pie. 

Aunt Clarabella. So do I. I always use lots of spice 
in rhy baking. 

Horace cuts off a large piece and puts it into his mouth. 
A queer expression crosses his face. Jn a moment he 
jumps to his feet, drops the pie and dances around the 
room. 


106 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


Aunt Clarabella. Horace, why Horace! What ails you? 
What is the matter? Is there something wrong with that 
pie? 

Horace Granthers [angrily'] . Wrong with you? You try 
one of your Halloween pranks on me , will you? I’ve a no¬ 
tion to sue you for internal injuries! You have half killed 
me with your brainless pranks! Bah! Such a woman! 
[Aside.] To think that I might have married the fiend! 

Horace Granthers grabs his hat and leaves the room 
just as Mother Betson and the girls enter. 

Mother Betson. Clarabella, I am so glad to see you! Why, 
what is the matter? Where is Mr. Granthers going in 
such a hurry? 

Aunt Clarabella. Wherever he is going I am going, too. 
Such a trick as you had planned for me! No wonder I 
was to help myself to your old pie! It’s an outrage. An 
. outrage, I say! 

She grabs her hat and suitcase and leaves, slamming the 
door behind her. Mother Betson drops on the sofa. 

Mother Betson. Can some one explain this outburst ? That 
is one of the shortest visits she ever made here. 

Clara. I heard Aunt Clarabella go into the pantry and 
get a piece of pie. She came back and gave it to Horace 
and all of a sudden he was yelling and shouting something 
about a prank she played on him. Then he grabbed his 
hat and went out. 

Mother Betson. There can be nothing wrong with that 
pie. All you had to do was to put it into the tin and. 
watch it hake. I even had the spice in. 

The Girls [together], Yon had the spice in? 


DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXERCISES 107 


Clara. I put in lots more spice. I didn’t know you had 
put in any. 

Marie. Why, Clara, I had put in the spice. I put in lots 
of it, because Aunt Clarabella likes nice, dark pumpkin 
pies. 

Mother Betson [laughing]. I think then, to be brief, that 
Clarabella spiced Horace. Well, accidents will happen. 
We’ll send her a note of explanation and let it go at that. 

CURTAIN 

THE MONTH OF STORY-BOOKS 

CHARACTERS 

The Queen of the Month : her long white dress is trimmed 
with numerous folds of colored paper arranged to repre¬ 
sent books. Her crown and girdle have books drawn 
upon them. 

Mother Goose : long, full, print dress, and tall peaked 
hat and shawl. 

Bo Peep : she wears a white apron over her blue gingham 
dress and a wide-brimmed straw hat and carries a crook. 

Boy Blue : entire suit of blue play clothes. He carries a 
horn. 

Jack: blue overalls, light blouse and straw hat. He car¬ 
ries a water .pail. 

Jill: gingham dress and half socks. 

Miss Muffet : a white apron over a pink dress. She car¬ 
ries a dish and a spoon. 

Little Jack Horner: blue trousers, light blouse and red 
tie. He carries a pie. 

The Fairy of the Golden Touch: her dress is of soft 


108 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


yellow and her crown is of gold metal paper. 

The Fairy Godmother : she wears a soft, flowing dress of 
gray. 

The Rose Fairy : a tight green blouse and a skirt made 
of layers of ruffled petals. A stem with leaves and buds 
on it is worn around the waist and at the neck. A small 
green cap trimmed with rose leaves completes the cos¬ 
tume. 

The Fairy of the Poor: her dress and crown are of sil¬ 
ver. She carries a silver wand with a star on the end 
of it. 

The Fairy of the Woods: her dress and crown are of 
bright green. She carries a green wand trimmed with 
silver leaves. 

The Fairy of the Home : she wears a long, white dress 
of soft material. 

Six Knights : boys as nearly the same size as possible are 
chosen. They wear red suits with silver trimming to 
represent armor. Their red caps have long black plumes 
and they carry long swords. 

Indian Boy: regular Indian suit. 

Soldier: a boy dressed in the uniform of the World War. 

Adventure: boy in a careless appearing pirate suit. 

Colonial Girl : her long dress has a very full skirt and 
a tight waist. She wears a powdered wig. 

Nature : she wears a green dress trimmed with gay flow¬ 
ers. Her headband is of bright flowers. 

Biography : girl in full . dark skirt and white waist. 

The Spirit of James Whitcomb Riley: a boy in a dark 
suit with the name of Riley worn across his shoulder. 

The Spirit of Eugene Field; same as above except the 
name of Field is worn. 


DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXERCISES 109 


The Spirit of Longfellow : same as above with appro¬ 
priate name. 

The Spirit of Alice Cary: this girl wears a white dress 
and has her name on a band. 

The Spirit of Phcebe Cary : same as above. 

The Spirit of Celia Thaxter: same as above. 

Scene : The scene is that of a reading room in the library. 
Such signs as “Please be quiet” are seen about the walls. 
Reading tables and chairs are provided. The Queen of 
the Month enters thoughtfully. 

The Queen of the Month. Once more it is October, the 
month of story-books. Soon the children will be flocking 
to my library, eager to find a good book to pass away the 
time during the chilly evenings. Children often neglect 
reading during the warm summer, but during October all 
the story-book people come to life again and are ready 
to entertain every one the whole winter through. To-day 
they are all ready to begin their work and are coming 
here before me. Sometimes it seems as if the children 
didn’t care for books as much as they use to. It would 
be terrible if they ever should stop reading altogether. 
I must see what books are to be left on the shelf this 
year. Perhaps, now, some of the books I have thought 
were just the thing are getting rather out of date. I won¬ 
der how it would be if I should discard all the old works 
and start in with brand new volumes. 

Mother Goose enters and stands by The Queen of the 
Month. 


Mother Goose. Forgive me. Queen of the Reading Realm, 


110 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


for overhearing what you just said, but as I was very 
much interested in your remarks, I could not refrain 
from commenting on them. 

The Queen of the Month. There is nothing to forgive, I 
am sure. If people choose to express their thoughts aloud 
they cannot hope but they will be overheard. Maybe your 
comments on this subject will aid me. What are they? 

Mother Goose. I heard you say something about discard¬ 
ing all the old books and putting new ones in their place. 
That would be a sad mistake, for, although there are some 
very fine modern books, still the old stories should be 
read by all. They are good for the imagination and for 
the heart. My children here would be very sad if they 
were to be enjoyed no more by the people. 

The Queen of the Month. I know wdio you are now. 
You are Mother Goose. Do you have any of your chil¬ 
dren with you? 

Mother Goose. I have a few of them here. Come in, 
children, the Queen wishes to speak with you. [ The last 
sentence is addressed to the Mother Goose Children off 
stage.] 

Mother Goose Children [together]. We’re coming. 

Mother Goose. [They enter.] 

The Queen of the Month. So you are Mother Goose’s 
children. I have often read about you and recited your 
verses, but I never even hoped to see you. Tell me some¬ 
thing about yourselves and why you want the children to 
read and love you. 

Mother Goose Children [together]. We shall be glad to 
do so. 

The Mother Goose Children form a semicircle around 
Mother Goose and The Queen of tile Month. Here 


DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXEKCISES 111 


they sing the following to the tune of Tramp, Tramp, 
Tramp. 

Mother Goose Children [sing]. 

In the land of childhood verse 
We shall always want our place, 

For all the children love our little rhymes; 

We are taught to children small, 

We are dearly loved by all. 

With our antics children have good times. 

Chorus: 

Cheer, cheer, cheer, we then for Mother Goose! 

Have the children learn her rhymes; 

They will love her just the same 
As a host of grown-ups do, 

Who with joy have said her rhymes a host of times. 

Boy Blue. 

I hope I never lose my place 
In any child’s heart; 

What would Mother Goose’s book be 
Without Boy Blue’s part? 

Bo Peep. 

While I am searching for my sheep 
Out upon the plain, 

I want the children to read of me 
Again and then again. 

The Queen of the Month. I* suppose your children feel as 
these do, Mother Goose. I believe I shall leave their 
rhymes on my list. I will see what other books I can 
discharge. 

Mother Goose Children. We are very glad that we may 
stay, Queen. Thank you very much. 

They go off stage. Jack and Jill are carrying the water 


112 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


pail, Jack Horner is eating his pie; Miss Mufpet is 
eating from her dish, Boy Blue blows on his horn while 
Bo Peep appears to drive sheep. Mother Goose fol¬ 
lows them off. 

The Queen of the Month. I am sure the children would 
miss all their funny little happenings if they were to be 
taken away from them. I must find some other means of 
arousing interest in my books than by taking away some of 
their famous characters. Who are these lovely creatures 
coming here ? 

The Six Fairies come dancing in, holding hands. They 
circle around The Queen of the Month as they sing 
the following to the same tune. 

Six Fairies [sing]. 

In the land of story books 
We’re the little fairies gay 

That fill the pages of the books with grace and charm; 

All the children like the tales 
Telling the good deeds we do; 

If they love us truly they will do no harm. 

Chorus: 

Read, read, read, about the fairies 
And the wondrous good they do; 

If you read all of our books 
And teach other children to, 

Then no one shall take the book away from you. 

First Fairy. I am the Fairy of the Golden Touch. I teach 
a lesson of unselfishness to all who read my story. 
Second Fairy. I am the Fairy Godmother who brings the 
good gifts to the christenings of many. There are stories 
of my visits to Princesses and Princes. There are many 


DIALOGUES, PLAYS A YD EXERCISES 113 


interesting stories about me that I would like to have ev¬ 
ery one read. 

Third Fairy. I am the Rose Fairy. I teach a lesson of 
love and kindness by the stories into which I am woven. 
My stories may be old ones, but the enjoyment of them 
and the lesson in them will always last. 

Fourth Fairy. I am the Fairy of the Poor. By my magic 
wand I bring plenty to those who are in need. I teach 
a lesson of kindness and respect for people of all ages and 
in all positions. 

Fifth Fairy. I am the Fairy of the Woods. I teach the 
children to love nature, for, by my power, the flowers and 
trees and animals are able to speak a language that can 
be understood by all. 

Sixth Fairy. I am the fairy of the home. I bring love 
and understanding to the members of the household. It 
is through my power that they do the little deeds of kind¬ 
ness that makes our lives worth living. 

The Queen of the Month. I never knew there were so 
many different varieties of fairy stories. Yo wonder the 
children never tire of hearing of you. I see plainly it 
would be impossible to do away with such fine reading 
material as you are. I hope all the children appreciate 
your stories and read them often. 

First Fairy. We are glad to be allowed to remain. Queen. 
Here are some friends of ours whose pages are generally 
as well worn as our own. 

The Six Knights enter, one after another. They march 
around the stage once. 

The Queen of the Month. I believe these are knights of 
the olden days. What boy’s heart doesn’t throb as he reads 


114 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


of their daring adventures? Do the children still delight 
in reading about you? 

First Knight. The children still like our stories very 
much, for we teach them lessons of bravery, truthfulness 
and chivalry while we entertain them. 

Second Knight. Our adventures include those of war and 
those of peace. Nowhere in our stories will you find fight¬ 
ing for the mere gain or glory of it, but always we used 
our arms to protect or defend where it was necessary. 
The Queen of the Month. If you are so popular with the 
children, it would be foolish to try to replace you with 
something better. You may be sure of your place in the 
library. 

Six Knights [together]. We are very glad, Queen. 

Three Knights stand each side of The Queen of the 
Month, where they sing the following to the same tune. 

Three Knights [sing]. 

Now you have heard all about 
Us bold knights of other days; 

You have thought we were a splendid kind of men. 

We have fought hard for the right, 

We have helped those in distress. 

Dangers to be met were many then. 

Chorus: 

Read, read, read about our deeds; 

They will thrill you to the core; 

You will marvel at our work, 

From your duty you’ll not shirk, 

If you read these famous hero stories more. 

The above music is repeated while The Knights and 
Fairies do the following exercise. 


DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXERCISES 115 


Movement 1 . The Fairies come up to the Knights and 
curtsy. The Knights bow low. 

Movement 2. The Knights offer their right arms and 
the Fairies place their hands on them. They then 
march in couples around the stage, those on the right 
side turning to the right at Front and those on the left 
side turning to the left. 

Movement 3. Back of the Queen the couples change 
sides and arrange themselves as at beginning. 
Movement 4. Couples join right hands and turn once 
to the right. 

Movement 5. Couples join left hands and turn once to 
the left. 

Movement 6. Fairies change partners with those op¬ 
posite them. Knights bow and Fairies curtsy when 
the change is made. 

Movement 7. The Knights offer their arms. Fairies 
place hand on Knight's arm and all march around in 
a circle. 

Movement 8. They reverse the direction of the line of 
march and go off stage. 

The Queen of the Month. The people certainly are for¬ 
tunate in having such wonderful characters to read about. 
It is a wonder there are enough books in the world to 
supply the demand. 

The Indian Boy, the Soldier, Adventure, the Colonial 
Girl, Nature, and Biography enter . 

Indian Boy. I hope you are not thinking of doing away 
with Indian stories. Queen. Every boy delights in read¬ 
ing of the lives and deeds of our braves. Every girl en- 


116 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOlv 


joys the stories of Indian home life. A library would be 
dull indeed if all the Indian stories and legends were 
taken away. Every American child should have plenty of 
them at his command. 

The Queen of the Month. Do not worry, little Indian 
Boy, I am too fond of your stories to think of removing 
any of them from the hands of my children. 

Soldier. My stories of heroism and patriotism help to 
make better citizens of the children. All of my stories 
are not of actual warfare but many deal with bravery in 
time of peace as well as in time of war. 

Adventure. I am pleading for the cause of the books of 
adventure. Grown-ups and children alike delight in my 
thrilling tales. Treasure Island and Robin Hood and 
scores of others are members of my family. We do not 
wish to be removed from the library shelves. 

The Queen of the Month. You shall not be removed, 
either. Stories of patriotism and adventure always have 
their place in the Realm of Reading. 

Soldier and Adventure. We are very glad, for we should 
miss the hands of the children sorely. 

Colonial Girl. I tell of the happenings in this country 
when it was very new. I tell of Pilgrims and Quakers, 
of the French and the Dutch. My books are called colonial 
stories and they faithfully portray life in those times. 
They are interesting and educational. I hope we are not 
to be removed. 

The Queen of the Month. Certainly not. Children must 
know something of the hardships the early pioneers suf¬ 
fered, something of the bravery they showed, and some¬ 
thing of the happy spirit with which they endured all, if 
they are to appreciate this country as they find it in their 


DIALOGUES, PLAYS AND EXERCISES 117 


time. We could never do without the stories of early 
American life. 

Biography. I go hand in hand with the colonial stories, 
only my happenings come down nearer the modern day. 
I am the biographies of the great men who have made 
our free land possible. 

The Queen oe the Month. What I have said about Colo¬ 
nial stories is true of you, too. We always need you 
with us. 

Nature. I take those who read me by the hand and lead 
them to the great open out-of-doors. I am the stories of 
nature that deal with birds, flowers and every living thing. 
I teach all to respect the great things of nature and to 
give thanks to the One who has created all. 

The Queen of the Month. Then certainly your place 
here is secure. We need much of your type of work. 

All join hands and dance about The Queen of the 
Month; singing, “We are so glad we are still to be read 
by the children. We are so glad” They then dance off 
stage. 

The Queen of the Month. I never realized how much 
these stories liked to be read. They seem like real people. 

The Six Spirits of Poetry enter and stand near The 
Queen of the Month. 

The Spirit of Eugene Field. I hope it is not poetry that 
you consider not necessary for the reading pnblic. I 
should feel very bad if my “Rock-a-By Lady” and “The 
Sugar Plum Tree” were to be forgotten. [ He recites one 
verse from one of these poems.] 

The Queen of the Month. I could not take the words of 


118 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


Eugene Field away from the public if I wished. They love 
you too dearly. 

The Spirit of James Whitcomb Riley. I, too, would 
hate to have my “Raggedy Man” and “That Old Sweet¬ 
heart of Mine” pass into obscurity. People always en¬ 
joyed those, as they have others of my poems. [He recites 
part of one of these.'] 

The Spirit of Longfellow. My “Children’s Hour” and 
“The Village Blacksmith” have been read for so long that 
I would feel very sad if folks were to care for them no 
longer. 

The Queen of the Month. Poetry is always dear to the 
heart of every reader and the works of you poets w r ill last 
forever. 

The Spirit of Alice Cary. My sister and I wrote our 
poems chiefly for the delight of the children. I am sure 
they will not forsake us now. 

The Spirit of Phcebe Cary. The many grown-ups who 
have read us with pleasure will join us in asking you to 
allow us to remain within their reach. 

One of the above recites a verse from one of her poems. 

The Queen of the Month. Alice and Phoebe Cary may 
rest assured that their poems will ever be read and loved by 
the public. We have another character to hear from yet. 

The Spirit of Celia Thaxter. I can only repeat what the 
others have said. I want to be read and loved by the 
children all over the country, just as my “Sandpiper” and 
“Spring” have been read and loved for the past year. 

[She recites part of The Sandpiper.] 

The Queen of the Month. I never realized what a won- 


DIALOGUES, PLAYS AXD EXERCISES 119 


derful collection of reading material is within reach of 
every one. I see now that it was a very foolish idea I had 
that it could be improved upon. Every book shall remain 
in its place, for I am sure, after the people have seen you 
who made those books possible, they will be more eager 
than ever to read your books. Pm proud of you all. 

All the characters return to the stage. The Queen of the 
Month stands in the center as they all join in singing 
the following to the same tune. 

All [sing]. 

In the land of story-books 
You will find us ever ready 
To give joy to all of those who read of us; 

If you read us all in turn 
You will surely, surely learn 
Of the great amount of good that each one of us does. 

Chorus: 

Read, read, read our stories through, 

Read our gay and solemn lines; 

If you’ll read us all in turn 
You will surely, surely, learn 
Of the great amount of good that each one of us does. 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN 

[For three little children for speaking parts and as many 
others as desired. They may wear costumes or colors appro¬ 
priate to Halloween, and carry as many of the things men¬ 
tioned as convenient. A real Mack cat will add greatly to 
the fun , if some child can he induced to bring such a pet. 
It may simply he held in the child's arms. Make the last 
lines as “spooky” as possible .] 

All. 

Halloween’s the time for fun: 


120 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


First Child. 

Indoors, all the fires boasting— 

To their crackling, hark! 

Snappy chestnuts turning, roasting, 
Big marshmallows burning, toasting, 
While we children play at “ghosting.” 

All [stealing about ]. 

On the stairways—in the corners— 
Oh—so—dark! 


All. 

Halloween’s the time for fun: 

Second Child. 

Outdoors, jack-o’-lanterns blinking, 

And to show them how, 

Happy little stars all winking. 

Hush ! There goes a witch, I’m thinking; 
Ho! It’s just our black cat slinking. 

All [imitating cat ]. 

By, with his Me-ow! Me-owing, 

Me—me—ow! 


All. Halloween’s the time for fun: 

Third Child. 

Indoors, outdoors, something’s doing 
Everywhere about; 

Mischief on all sides is brewing, 

Witches with their broomsticks shooing, 
Spooks and goblins all “Hoo-hooing!” 

All [stealing about ]. 

They will get you, if you 
Don’t—watch—out! 


MARCH, DANCES, DRILL 

MARCH OF THE SCARECROWS 

Any number of boys are dressed as scarecrows. They wear 
torn hats and coats and trousers with numerous patches on 
them. Straw is tied in the coat sleeves so that the hands are 
partly covered. They march with jerky steps and all move¬ 
ments are of a jerky nature. 

The music of The Little Sandman is played as the 
scarecrows enter. [Omit chorus in songs.] 

Movement 1 . The scarecrows march across the front of 
stage with very high steps. As they reach the opposite 
side, the leader turns suddenly around and faces in the 
opposite direction. The others do the same. The last 
one in line now becomes the leader. 

Movement 2. All mark time in their places during the 
next four measures. All face front and with high steps 
back to near the back of the stage. 

Movement 3. Every other one turns to the right and the 
others to the left, so partners are facing. Right arms are 
extended and shaken limply. 

Movement 4. Left arms are extended at side and shaken. 
Then both arms are extended and with short steps the 
scarecrows turn about in place. 

Movement 5. Scarecrows place hand on shoulder of part¬ 
ner and advance three steps toward the front of stage, 
they bow low to audience. 

Movement 6. All face back of stage. All place hand on 
shoulder of partner and return to back of stage. 

121 


122 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


Movement 7. Partners face. They extend both arms for¬ 
ward and shake them. 

Movement 8. All face front and march to the front of the 
stage, where the first verse of the song is snng to the 
same tune. 

All [ sing ]. 

Hark! there’s a scarecrow coming, 

Hark to his echoing tread; 

Hark! there’s a scarecrow coming 
With straw for arms and head. 

Out in the cornfield lonely, 

He’s been standing since the spring; 

But now the bright October 
Rest to him does bring. 

Movement 1. The first one in line turns to right and 
the second one to left, etc. Those who have turned to 
the left of stage take two steps toward the back of the 
stage. 

Movement 2. Those who turned to the right bend stiffly 
forward and in a stooped position move around the stage, 
while the other line marks time in place. 

Movement 3. When the line from the right comes up the 
left side of stage, it crosses the stage to the back of the 
line that faces left. This left line then straightens shoul¬ 
ders very straight and marches around the stage with high 
steps. When it reaches the center of the right side of 
stage, it walk across the stage in front of the other line. 

Movement 4. Beginning with the one at the right of the 
line, one at a time those in the back line advance and 
stand directly in front of the one that was in front of 
him. A very stiff appearance is kept while this change 
is being made. 


MARCH, DANCES, DRILL 


123 


Movement 5. Beginning with the one at the left of the 
line, one at a time, those who are now in the back line, 
advance to the front of the other line. 

Movement 6. All together the back line advances so the 
scarecrows in this line are even with the others. Partners 
face, bow, and then face front again. 

Movement 7. All extend arms to the front, shake heads 
jerkily and turn about in place. 

Movement 8. All face front and advance to front of stage, 
where they sing the second verse. 

All [ sing ]. 

Hark! there’s a scarecrow marching 
Out ’neath the harvest moon; 

Hark! there’s a scarecrow marching 
Where snow will cover soon. 

Oh, see his clothes are ragged— 

The wind has made them so; 

About his coat doth flutter 
Wherever he may go. 

Movement 1. All face right and place both hands on the 
shoulders of the one directly in front. All march around 
stage to the right. When the front left corner is reached, 
all turn about and face in opposite direction. This time 
both hands are placed on the hips. 

Movement 2. The body is swayed gently as the scarecrows 
move around the stage with a step in which they swing 
their feet ahead of them as they walk. When they reach 
the right front of stage, they straighten up very stiffly, 
drop hands to the side and march straight across the stage. 
When the leader reaches front left corner he pauses. 

Movement 3. All face front, place hands on hips and bend 
first to the right and then to the left. 


124 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


Movement 4. All face partners. They join both hands and 
swing hands first to the right and then to the left. All 
face front and bow. 

Movement 5. Those on the left half of line face right and 
those on the right end of line face left. Those on the left 
take two steps toward the back of stage, while the others 
mark time. 

Movement 6. Both lines march around the stage and meet 
at center back in couples. 

Movement 7. Each couple comes to the center front of 
stage. The one on the right side goes to the front left 
corner and the one on the left side goes to the front right 
corner. 

Movement 8. The above movement continues until all are 
in a straight line across the front of stage. They then 
sing the last verse of the song. 

All [ sing ]. 

See! there’s a scarecrow bowing, 

, Bowing to each of you; 

Full well he’s done the good work 
That he was charged to do. 

Watcher of corn and gardens, 

Tender of wheat and rye; 

There’s a scarecrow bowing, see! 

Bowing a fond good-by. 

As the last lines of the song are sung, the scarecrows 
bow low to the audience. They then turn to the right, place 
their hands on the ♦ shoulders of the one in front of them, 
and repeat the last four lines of the song as they march 
around the stage and off. 


MARCH, DANCES, DRILL 125 

DANCE OF INDIAN SUMMER 

PART I 

This dance may be given by any even number of dancers. 
Either all girls or part boys and gvrls may be used. The 
girls wear full, ruffled dresses of brown, orange, yellow and 
green. The boys wear straight suits of the same colors. 

The music of November, is played rather slowly for the 
dance. 

Movement 1 . All join hands and form a circle. The boys 
are on the left of their partners. All step sideways with 
the left foot. Hop and swing the right foot forward. Hop 
to the right and swing the left foot toward the center of 
circle. 

Movement 2. All slide to the right and swing the left 
foot toward center of circle. Slide again to the right and 
swing right foot away from the center of circle. 
Movement 3. All let go of hands. Place hands on hips 
and take around in place with four steps to the right. 
Bow to partner and turn about again, this time to the 
left. 

Movement 4. All join hands with partner and skip about 
in circle to the right. Every other couple turns about in 
place and bows to the couple behind them, who pause. 
Movement 5. The two girls join their left hands and 
the boys join their right hands over the joined hands of 
the girls. All skip to left. 

Movement 6. The two girls join their right hands and 
the boys join their left hands. All move to the right. 
These last two movements are done by each group of four 
at the same time. 


126 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


Movement 7. Both boys and girls let go of hands and 
place both hands on their hips. Each takes four sliding 
steps in a different direction. 

Movement 8. All glide into circle formation, join hands, 
advance to near center of circle and bow low. 

PART II 

Movement 1 . All skip about in circle to left. Then raise 
hands gracefully overhead and turn about in place. 

Movement 2. Partners join hands and skip toward cor¬ 
ners of stage. The boys extend their hands toward the 
girls as if ready to take something from them, and the 
girls extend their hands in the air, as if they were pick¬ 
ing apples or grapes. 

Movement 3. Partners then join inside hands and skip 
back to place in the circle, where all join hands and skip 
to the right. 

Movement 4. The girls skip across the circle and join 
hands with the boys on the opposite side. Each couple 
skips about in place. The boys bow low and the girls 
curtsy. 

Movement 5. The boys place both hands on hips and turn 
slowly about in place, while the girls take hold of each 
side of their skirts and dance about the boy to the right. 
The boy turns to the left. 

Movement 6. The boy now turns to the right and the girl 
dances to the left. When the circle has been completed 
they join both hands and skip across stage to exchange 
places with the couple directly opposite them. 

Movement 7. Girls return to original partners. Boys bow 
and girls curtsy when the old partners meet. 


MARCH, DANCES, DRILL 


127 


Movement 8. All return to places in the circle, join hands 
and dance lightly to the right. 

PART III 

Movement 1 . The boys join hands and circle to the right 
at the center of the stage, while the girls dance to the 
front of stage and curtsy to audience. 

Movement 2. The girls extend their arms over their heads 
and turn about in place, while the boys face front and 
bow low. The girls return to their place in the circle. 
All join hands. 

Movement 3. The four at the right side of the circle 
leave the others and form a small circle at the right, 
while the others form a circle at the left. Each dancer 
keeps skipping to the right as the circle is being formed. 

Movement 4. Members of both circles advance to the cen¬ 
ter of circle and bow to dancer opposite them. The circle 
on the right side of stage then circles to the left, while 
the one on the left side of stage then circles to the right. 

Movement 5. The circles circle nearer the center of stage. 
The one from the right goes behind the one from the left 
and circles around it returning to its own side. A slid¬ 
ing step is used by the dancers as they circle about the 
other circle. 

Movement 6. The same movement is repeated as above, 
only the circle from the right circles in front of the one 
from the left and then returns to its own side. 

Movement 7. The girl nearest the side of stage lets go 
of the hand of the boy to the right and in a line they 
skip back to the center of stage where they form a circle 
and skip to right. 

Movement 8. Those at front of stage let go of hands so 


128 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


that a semicircle is formed. All skip toward front of 
stage and bow to audience. 

A few measures of the music is repeated as the dancers 
ship off the stage. 


THE CLOTHESPIN QUICKSTEP 

Eight hoys dressed in tight tan suits. Streamers of orange 
and black are worn around the neck. 

All steps are of the quick, jerky order. 

The Clothespins enter to any march music and do the 
following exercise. 

PART I 

Movement 1 . The Clothespins enter and form a line 
across the front of stage. Their arms are held stiffly 
down at their sides. They bow. 

Movement 2. Every other one turns to the right so that 
partners are facing. They bow. All turn and face back 
of stage. 

Movement 3. Beginning with the second in line, every 
other one steps toward back of stage two steps. Here 
they bow jerkily to right and left. 

Movement A. Those who remained in place now step in 
back of the others and face front. 

Movement 5. Those in back line bow low to the right, 
while those in the front line bow low to the left. 
Movement 6. Those in the back line face right and those 
in the front line face left. Both lines start marching in 
the direction they are facing. 


MARCH, DANCES, DRILL 


120 


Movement 7. Both lines turn toward side of stage and 
march down sides to front. 

Movement 8. The line from the left goes to the center 
of stage and pauses. The line from the right forms a spiral 
by going in and out around each member of the left line. 

Movement 9. The line from the left continues across the 
front of stage. It advances down right side two steps, 
turns right and forms a line across the center of stage. 
The right line marches down the side and forms a spiral 
at center of stage by going in and out around each mem¬ 
ber of the other line. 

Movement 10. All march around to form a straight line 
across the front. 

The music ceases. 

Here they all recite the following: 

All [ together ]. 

Eight little clothespins are we. 

Folks give us a task very heavy; 

All the clothes we hold 
In the heat and the cold. 

If we went on a strike, where’d you be? 

PART II 

The music is resumed. 

Movement 1. The four to the 'left turn right and those 
to the right turn left. The lines pass, train fashion, with 
the line from the right on the outside. 

Movement 2. Both lines march around the stage and meet 
at center rear in couples. 

Movement 3. The first couple advances toward the front 
to center of stage. From center of stage the couple goes 
diagonally to front right corner, where they pause. 


130 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


Movement 4. The second couple advances to the center 
of stage and then to front left corner, cutting diagonally 
from center. 

Movement 5. The third couple advances to center and 
then to the rear right corner. 

Movement 6. The fourth couple advances to center and 
then to rear left corner. 

Movement 7. The couples in the front right corner and 
the rear left corner advance to center of stage. The 
four join hands and circle to the right. They then form 
a straight line facing front at center rear of stage. 

Movement 8. The couples in the front left corner and 
rear right corner repeat movements above. They stand 
in front of the first group at close of movement. 

Movement 9. Both lines advance to the front. 

Movement 10. One line is formed across the front of 
stage. All bow low and recite the following: 

All [ together ]. 

A lady once hung a rug on the line, 

She pushed us all on, indeed, very fine; 

She gave us a rap, 

Each clothespin went snap! 

Then for her nice rug she did pine. 

PART III 

Movement 1 . All turn right. P]ace hands on shoulder of 
preceding one in line. 

Movement 2. The line marches to right of stage, then 
turns left and winds to left side of stage. The line then 
goes back to the left side of stage where it again turns 
left and returns to the left side. This completes the 
“S” as shown below: 


MARCH, DANCES, DRILL 


131 


Movement 3. The line turns right and marches across 
the rear of stage. It then turns left and forms an U S” 
to the front. 

Movement 4. All form line across front, face front, and 
bow. 

Movement 5. Mark time in place, right, left, etc. Lift 
feet high and bend knees with each step. 

Movement 6. All turn to the left and mark time. 
Movement 7. All march in single file down left side of 
stage and across back of stage. 

Movement 8. The line advances to front with high step. 

They clap hands on hips as they advance. 

Movement 9. All turn around once in position at front. 

They clap hands over head at each quarter turn. 
Movement 10. All face front and bow low. 

They recite the following: 

All [ together ]. 

Right now we must leave you, we fear, 

We have too much work to be playing here. 

“Good Morning!” we’ll say, 

On your next washday. 

As we swing in the air so clear. 

All turn left, march once around stage and off. 


FROLICSOME FAIRIES 

Four Girls and Four Boys take part in the dance. The 
Girls wear green crepe paper dresses. The skirts have 
several ruffled rows of green on them and the waists are 
quite plain. Large pumpkin leaves and yellow blossoms 
are worn on the shoulders and around the waist. The 


132 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


Boys wear suits of bright yellow with some green trim¬ 
ming. When the curtain rises the four couples are on 
the stage. Two couples are on the right side and two are 
on the left. The Boys are on the outside. All are in 
plain view of the audience. 

Music: Little Miss Echo. 

PART I 

Measures 1-4. Partners join right hands and turn to the 
right. 

Measures 5-8. Partners join right hands and turn to the 
left. 

Measures 9-12. Partners join hands and turn to the right. 

Measures 13-16. Partners join hands and turn to the left. 

Measure 17. Place hands on hip. Place the inside foot 
out to the side with a tap. 

Measure 18. Bring inside foot back into position with a 
tap. 

Measure 19. Repeat Measure 17. 

Measure 20. Repeat Measure 18. 

Measures 21-22.- Keeping hands on hips skip sidewise 
three steps toward back of stage. 

Measures 23-24. Jump up in air once [be certain all jump 
at same time]. 

Measure 25. Repeat Measure 17, bringing foot toward 
front of stage. 

Measure 26. Repeat Measure 18, bringing foot toward 
front of stage. 

Measure 27. Repeat Measure 25. 

Measure 28 . Repeat Measure 26 . 


MARCH, DANCES, DRILL 


133 


Measures 29-30. Repeat Measures 21-23, skipping toward 
front of stage. 

Measures 31-32. Bow to partners. 

PART II 

Measures 1-4. Partners shake forefinger of right hand at 
each other. 

Measures 5-8. Partners shake forefinger of left hand at 
each other. 

Measures 9-12. Partners shake forefinger of right hand at 
each other. 

Measures 13-16. Partners shake forefinger of left hand at 
each other. 

Measures 17-32. Repeat Measures 17-32 of Part I. 

PART III 

Measures 1-4. Girls change places with the girl on the 
same side of stage. 

Measures 5-8. Shake forefinger of right hand at new 
partner. 

Measures 9-12. Girls change back to original partners. 
Each shakes finger at new partner. 

Measures 13-16. Partners join hands and turn once to 
the right. 

Measures 17-32. Repeat Measures 17-32 of Part I. 

PART IV 

Measures 1-4. All face front and sidestep away from part¬ 
ner three steps. 

Measures 5-8. Turn head toward partner and shake fist 
at him. 


134 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


Measures 9-12. Sidestep back to partner and face him. 
Measures 13-16. Shake fist at partner, turning around to 
the right as you do so. 

Measures 17-32. Repeat Measures 17-32 of Part I. 

PART V 

Measures 1-4. Tip head and lean far to the right. Ex¬ 
tend right hand toward partner. 

Measures 5-8. Tip head and lean far to the left. Extend 
the left hand toward partner. 

Measures 9-12. Join both hands with those of partner 
and turn once to the right. 

Measures 13-16. Each couple turns and circles once to the 
left. 

Measures 17-32. Repeat Measures 17-32 of Part I. 

PART VI 

The music is repeated as the couples, beginning with the 
one in the front left corner, march once around stage and 
off. 


PANTOMIMES 


THE BOY WHO DISAPPEARED 

[A pantomime for any number of children ] 

Scene: A plain stage setting to represent a street. The 
Reader is off stage. &he stands near enough to the cur¬ 
tain, to be plainly heard by those in the audience. 

Reader. 

This is the boy who, upon Halloween, 

Wandered away and never more was seen. 

A boy walks sloiuly across stage and off at the other side. 

Reader. 

This is the witch, so solemn and black, 

Who never would let the boy come back. 

A witch in a long black dress and a tall black hat walks 
across the stagje. 

Reader. 

This is the ghost, in robes of white, 

Who last saw the boy, on that Halloween night. 

A figure wrapped in white goes across the stage. 

Reader. 

This is the jack-o’-lantern, smiling so gay, 

That saw the little boy carried away. 

A boy goes across the stage carrying a large lighted jack- 
o'-lantern. 

Reader. 

This is the owl from up in the tree 
That told the story all to me. 

A child goes across the stage wearing a mask like an owl. 
135 


136 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


Reader. 

This is the bat who flies at night; 

He was a witness to the sight. 

A child goes across the stage carrying a large picture of 
a bat. 

Reader. 

This was the cause of the whole affair: 

For, while peacefully on the fence he sat, 

That little boy came walking along 

And pulled the tail of a Halloween cat. 

A child enters with either a live black cat or a picture 
of one. 

Reader. 

So, now, each and every year, 

When Halloween time draws near, 

If you but go out on a windy night, 

The moan of that boy you will hear. 

TEN LITTLE GOBLIN ELVES 

[For ten children who wear bright caps made of black 
and orange crepe paper. They may wear colored masks , 
if desired.\ 

Enter The First Goblin Elf. 

First Goblin Elf. 

One little goblin elf, 

Standing all alone; 

One little goblin elf, 

The lonesomest ever known. 

The Second Goblin Elf enters and stands by the side 
of the First. 


PANTOMIMES 


13 


Second Goblin Elf. 

Two little goblin elves 
Having lots of fun; 

We have lots of work to do, 
Now that Halloween’s begun. 

Enter The Third Goblin Elf. 

Third Goblin Elf. 

Three little goblin elves, 
Always bright and gay; 

We chase away the gloom 
All the livelong day. 

Enter The Fourth Goblin Elf. 

Fourth Goblin Elf. 

Four little goblin elves, 
Standing in a row; 

All the Halloween secrets 
All of them know. 

Enter The Fifth Goblin Elf. 

Fifth Goblin Elf. 

Five little goblin elves, 
Dancing, oh, so merry! 

Right around your doorstep, 
This very night we tarry. 

Enter The Sixth Goblin Elf. 

Sixth Goblin Elf. 

Six little goblin elves, 

Ready to stroll about; 

We’ll be all ready to scare 
Whoever ventures out. 

Enter The Seventh Goblin Elf. 


138 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


Seventh Goblin Elf. 

Seven little goblin elves, 
Flitting here and there; 

We can travel on the ground 
Or sail through the air. 

Enter The Eighth Goblin Elf. 

Eighth Goblin Elf. 

Eight little goblin elves, 
Ready for adventure; 

We know all the secrets 
Of old Dame Nature. 

Enter The Ninth Goblin Elf. 

Ninth Goblin Elf. 

' Nine little goblin elves 

That you all should know; 

We scatter sunshine 
Wherever we go. 

Enter The Tenth Goblin Elf. 

Tenth Goblin Elf. 

Ten little goblin elves 

Standing straight and tall; 

We bring a jolly Halloween. 
To one and all. 

All [together]. Ten little goblin elves, 

That is what we are; 

To bring a jolly time to you, 
We have traveled far. 

We like to see you smiling, 
For we know that’s the way 

To make for happy living, 
Every single night and day. 


PANTOMIMES 


139 


All the Goblin Elves face to the right. Each places his 
right hand on the shoulder of the one in front of him 
and in this formation they march once around the stage 
and off. One of the Halloween songs from this hook 
may he sung hy them at this time. 

CRIPPLED JIM’S HALLOWEEN 

[A Pantomime for any number of children ]. 

The first seem shows Jim, a pale, thin hoy, seated at a 
table. He has a pair of crutches hy the side of the chair 
and one foot is bandaged and set on a chair in front of him. 
Some hooks and a game are on the table beside him , hut he 
is not paying any attention to them. He appears to he very 
lonely. The reader is off stage, hut in a place where she can 
he heard clearly hy the audience. 

Reader. It is early in the evening of Halloween. That fes¬ 
tival will mean little to poor crippled Jim this year, for 
he cannot run or frolic with the other children. Some 
weeks ago a speeding automobile crushed his foot and so, 
to-night, while the others are having fun, he must stay 
at home alone. Even his mother is gone, for she works 
for a rich family and to-night they are having a grand 
party for the children of the neighborhood. 

Jim picks up a hook, hut soon sets it'aside. 

Reader. Even the story-books which Jim usually finds so 
delightful fail to arouse his interest to-night. Perhaps 
his mind keeps wandering to that great party where so 
many costumed figures gather together, or maybe it goes 
to the schoolroom, where he knows his own friends are 
assembled for their Halloween party. 

Jim takes a game from the table, hut soon sets that aside. 


140 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


Reader. The children and his grown-up friends have not 
forgotten Jim while he has been forced to stay at home. 
They have brought him many interesting games and writ¬ 
ten him many letters, but to-night everything seems dull. 
It is hard to make such things as these take the place of 
jack-o’-lanterns and ghosts. 

Jim leans bach in the chair and closes his eyes. 

Reader. Jim wishes that he could go to sleep, for then 
Halloween would pass sooner and he does not believe he 
would be so lonely, if it were over. He closes his eyes and 
tries hard to go to sleep, but he does not succeed. Every 
tick of the clock sounds in his ears and the ticks seem to 
be a long time apart. 

Sounds are heard outside. 

Reader. Suddenly there is the sound of many footsteps 
outside. Jim sits up with a start. Who can it be? No 
one ever calls at his house in the evening, and it is too 
early for his mother to come home. He seems to be half 
frightened, as he rivets his glance on the door. 

The door suddenly opens and the children come in. Some 
have jack-o’-lanterns, some have baskets of apples, and 
others have large paper sacks. Some of the children have 
funny masks on. 

Reader. Then the door opens and the children from his 
own school enter. “You couldn’t come to the party, Jim,” 
they are saying to him, “so we are bringing the party to 
you. Now we shall all have a better time.” 

The children put down their packages of apples and other 
good things. Never had a Halloween passed so quickly 
and so happily for crippled Jim. 


CURTAIN 


SONGS 

GLAD HALLOWEEN 

Adapt tune of November. 

Glad Halloween, we welcome yon, 

This bright October night; 

Your ghosts and goblins, oh, so drear. 
Are a most welcome sight! 

We like the cooling breezes 
Your festival does bring. 

The praises of your holiday 
We’re always glad to sing. 

May ever your gay colors 
Be seen in wind and field, 

A harvest rich and bountiful 
May you forever yield. 


YOU'RE WELCOME 

Adapt tune, Come Back, Sweet May. Omit chorus 

You’re welcome, you’re welcome 
To be with us to-night; 

We hope that we can please 
Each kind friend in sight. 

In each of our numbers 
We will do our best 
To make you all happy, 

Your smiles to arrest. 

141 


U2 THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 

You’re welcome, you’re welcome, 

On this Halloween; 

And we hope that quite often 
With us you will be seen. 

So watch out now for witches 
And goblins, too, and elves, 

Who will really be but 
Our own happy selves. 


SPOOKS 

Tune: Tramp, Tramp, Tramp 

Some of the singers are dressed as ghosts and others carry 
pumpkins , cats , oiuls , etc , 

From the land of make-believe 
Comes a merry little band 
That scatters lots of fun where’er they go! 

They’re the funny little folks 
That you see on Halloween, 

And you’re always glad to welcome them, I know. 

Chorus: 

Spooks, spooks, spooks! they all are coming; 
Everywhere you see them now. 

And before you realize. 

They’ll be springing a surprise 
That will surely frighten every one of you. 

Silent we as shadows creep, 

When you’re very fast asleep; 

So when Halloween arrives we’re always here! 


SONGS 


143 


We fill the air with laughter 
That’s remembered for long after 
We have taken wings and flown far, far away. 
Cli orus: 


AUTUMN MOON 

Tune: Mount Vernon Bells 

Softly in the heavens lingering. 

Hangs the harvest moon; 

Far unto the westward moving, 
Moving, fading, all too soon. 

In its clear light treasures brightest 
All about, we see; 

Telling us of the Great Spirit, 

Who doth care for you and* me. 

Ohorus: 

Dear autumn moon. 

Soon from us you’ll part. 

Harvest moon and autumn season, 
Ever dear unto my heart. 

Brightly from the heavens falling, 
Thy silver sheet of light. 

With pearly splendor softly shining, 
Shining every harvest night. 

What can be thy power so binding, 

In thy light so clear? 

Round my heart its charm entwining. 
Harvest moon, forever dear. 


144 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


TIS HALLOWEEN 

[For any number of boys, dressed as negroes .] 
Tune: Old Folks At Home 

’Way down de street at night I’se wandered 
Scared as can be; 

Here’s funny noises dat I’se hearing, 

Here’s funny sights I see. 

All day de wind am just a-howling 
Through each trembling tree; 

Seems like as if a million creatures 
Am jus’ a-chasing after me. 

Chorus: 

All de world am topsy turvey 
As can be plainly seen; 

He secret deep I’m go’n’ to tell you 
It’s Jolly Halloween. 

Har is a punkin on de gatepost 
Hat smiles at me; 

A ghost in robes of snowy whitest- 
I’m certain dat I see; 

A ticktack on a window near me, 

Makes me shiver more; 

My shakin’ knees will be well pleased 
When dis queer night is o’er. 

HALLOWEEN SOUNDS 

Tune: Old Black Joe 

Weird are the sounds from everywhere to-night; 

Weird seems each thing that comes within our sight, 


SONGS 


145 


This is the night of goblins old and new. 

I hear the night winds call their ghostly, “Oo-oo-ooo !” 

Chorus: 

They’re calling, they’re calling, 

Every goblin’s voice I hear; 

They all are making merry this one night of the year. 

Weird are the sounds made by every apple bough; 
Weird is the creak of each garden gate now; 

Echoes each tread upon the frosty walk; 

So weird the air we’re most afraid to even talk. 


Chorus: 

Quick as a wink the boys dart here and there, 
Costumes of white and suits of black they wear; 
Frightened the people who meet them on their way 
But still they smile, for it is Halloween so gay. 

THE BOY AND THE OWL 

Tune: Good Morning 

A great gray owl sat up in a tree 
And all around the woods he could see. 

His eyes were as big and round as the moon; 
He sat there blinking from night until noon. 

A fair little boy walked under the tree 
And up above the owl he did see. 

He thought that owl looked so very wise, 
Some questions he’d ask about his eyes. 

“Why do you gaze about you so? 

Is there anything that you don’t know? 


146 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


Have you seen all the goblins and elves? 
Won’t you tell me something about yourself?” 

The owl stared on without reply; 

He only sat there and blinked his eye. 

So the boy walked off without a word, 

Eor he didn’t believe the owl had heard. 

But the old owl kept his place in the tree 
And still he blinks down at you and me. 

Just look up in the tree on Halloween 
And the old owl there can still be seen. 

GOOD-BY, HALLOWEEN! 

Tune: Maypqle Dance 

Good-by, witches, good-by, witches, 

We’re through with you for now. 

Halloween is over now, over now, 

And so we say good-by! 

Good-by, goblins, good-by, goblins. 

We’re through with you for now. 

Halloween is over now, over now. 

And so we say good-by! 

Good-by, ghost folks, good-by, ghost folks, 
We’re through with you for now. 

Halloween is over now, over now, 

And so we say good-by. 

Good old pumpkin pie, good old pumpkin pie. 
We’ll not say good-by to you. 

Halloween is over now, over now, 

But we won’t say good-by! 


SONGS 


14? 


Good night, dear friends, good night, dear friends, 
We’ll say good night to yon. 

Halloween is over now, over now, 

And so we will say good-by. 

Repeat last verse . 

ON HALLOWEEN 

Tune: Yankee Doodle 

Brother and I went down the street 
On one spooky Halloween; 

We saw a lot of great black cats 
And some ghosts in between. 

Chorus: 

Goodness gracious, how we ran! 

Goodness gracious, granny; 

I never knew that clumsy boys 
With feet could be so handy. 

A white thing peeped behind a fence! 

My heart ’most stopped dead 
When it stood up and threw at me 
It’s awful ghostly head. 

[Repeat chorus after each verse ] 

A big owl winked so very stern 
’Way up in our maple tree; 

T thought it funny till he flew 
Right down and lit on me. 

We heard a very mournful sound, 

’Twas like an awful groan; 


148 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


1 thought it was a broken bough 
Till it jumped up with a groan. 

A jack-o’-lantern shed a light 
Right across our way; 

But the terrible grin upon its face 
I remember to this day. 

OH, WHAT A JOLLY TIME! 

Tune: Robin Song 
Halloween is here again, 

Halloween is here again! 

And oh, what a jolly time! 
Halloween is here again. 

The pumpkins are golden, 

Gathered is the ripened grain; 

And oh, what a jolly time; 

It’s harvest time again. 

The grapes are ripe and purple 
Hanging low upon the vine; 

And oh, we’re very happy when 
It’s jolly harvest time! 

The cornshocks in the field 
Are all standing row on row; 

And oh, what a jolly time! 

It’s autumn, autumn now. 

With jack-o’-lanterns grinning 
Out from every window pane! 

And oh, what a. jolly time! 

It’s Halloween again. 


SONGS 


149 


Ghosts and goblins are about. 

Witches, too, are standing near; 

And oh, what a jolly time. 

When Halloween is here! 

The woods are gold and crimson 
Truly gorgeous to be seen; 

And oh, it is a jolly time, 

Tor now ’tis Halloween! 

Every school boy and girl 
Dances now with great delight; 

And oh, what a jolly time! 

For Tis Halloween to-night. 

Each of the dancers may carry a large picture of some 
autumn product mentioned in the song and the singers may 
march lightly around the stage, as they sing. 


HALLOWEEN 


Tune: Hallo weeist 

One day we took some pumpkins, 
And cut the insides out; 

And then we cut out noses, 

And eyes and teeth and mouth. 

We boys each got a candle, 

And fastened it inside; 

That made a Jack-o’-lantern— 

And lots of fun, beside. 


150 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


SUMMER’S GONE 

Tunc : Winter’s Gone 

Summer’s gone, summer’s gone, 
Lovely autumn hastens on. 

Nuts are ripening—sing, 
Autumn now is king. 

Frosty breeze, falling leaves, 

No more humming bees. 
Pumpkins round, now are found, 
Halloween’s around. 


PARTIES, SOCIALS, GAMES 
THE HALLOWEEN PARTY 

Much of what is said regarding the decorations for a 
Halloween social (page 155) applies equally to a Halloween 
party. The invitations may be made at home by pasting black 
witches on orange paper and writing the invitation with black 
ink. Cats and owls may take the place of witches on some of 
the invitations. 

If it is to be a costume party, the invitation should state 
the fact. In this case the invitations are mailed early enough 
to enable all to arrange a costume without unnecessary hurry. 
Halloween is probably the most appropriate time of all the 
year for a mask party. Ghost, witch, cat and owl costumes 
are comparatively easy to make and add much to the gayety 
of the part. “Harvest queen” and “pumpkin” costumes are 
also very attractive. Costumes may be made of good quality 
crepe paper or cambric. Directions for making complete 
costumes may be found in the costume books published by 
the manufacturers of crepe paper, or costumes may be rented 
for the occasion. 

The ■ home may be decorated somewhat as described for 
the Halloween social. Small paper or candy pumpkins may 
he used to support the place cards and paper pumpkin 
baskets are used for the nut and candy cups. Paper nap¬ 
kins with Plalloween designs may be oised. If the party is 
for children, the Halloween designed crepe paper tablecloths 
are suitable and very attractive. 

The following suggestions will help make the party a 
merry one. 


151 


152 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


HALLOWEEN PUZZLE 

The word “Halloween” is written, one letter under an¬ 
other, down one side of the paper. On the opposite side of 
the paper the word is also written, but the last letter is 
written on the first line, the next to the last letter on the 
next line, etc. The guests are to supply letters to form a 
word. The one who forms all the words first is given a 
prize. To make the contest a little more difficult, the num¬ 
ber of letters that must be in each word may be specified. 
The number should be three, four or five. The following 
shows the way the paper will appear when handed to the 
guest. 


H . N 

A . E 

L . E If desired quotation marks may 

L . W be inserted in the proper place. 

0 . 0 Such words as ’ere may be used 

W . L with this. 

E . L 

E . A 

N . H 


MURDER 

All lights are turned out. One person is told beforehand 
that, when the lights are turned out, he is to grab some 
one around the throat. All are told that, if they are grabbed, 
they are to scream loudly. As soon as the victim has been 
grabbed, the one who grabs her returns to his place. The 
lights are then turned on by the one in charge. The others 
guess who did the grabbing and who the victim was. The 
two who guess correctly are in charge next time and tell 











PARTIES,' SOCIALS, GAMES 


153 

the person who is to be the next grabber when to start. By 
having the three people move around the room, the guests 
will become confused as to who leave their places and the 
grabber will not be so easily guessed. 

WITCHES’ PIE 

All are seated. Each person in turn names some fruit or 
vegetable. If one names anything which is commonly used 
in pie, he must go to the center of the circle. When six are 
at the center, the “witches’ pie” is declared baked and those 
at the center are called upon to do some stunt. Such stunts 
as the following may be used. 

1. Crawl backwards on your hands and feet and bel¬ 
low like a cow. 

2. Each of the six is given a cracker to eat. The first 
one who can whistle after having eaten his cracker 
may leave the circle. 

3. Make three statements about your neighbor on the 
right. 

4. Pretend } r ou are Mother Goose and ride through 
the air on a broomstick. 

5. Give an illustration of a darkey doing the Charles¬ 
ton. 

6. Hoot like an owl, meow like a cat, moan like a ghost 
and talk like a witch. 

7. Fly around the room like a bat. 

8. Sing the chorus of “Yankee Doodle.” 

SCRAMBLED CHARACTERS 
Mix the letters of several words that have something to 
do with Halloween and give a small prize to the one who 
arranges the letters correctly first. The following list may 
be used. 


154 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


nipmupks, 
togshs... . 
hetiwsc.. . 
pelaps.. .. 

sact. 

aickktcts. 
lonbigs... 
rksanlocts 


pumpkins 

ghosts 

witches 

apples 

cats 

. ticktacks 

.goblins 

.cornstalks 


THE WITCH’S GIFT 

Each player receives a piece of paper upon which he is 
told to write his name. He then places the paper in a box. 
All draw out papers. If a player receives the paper with his 
own name on it, he may draw again. The player is then 
to write the thing which the Halloween witch should bring 
to the player whose name appears on the paper. These are 
later read aloud. Humorous things should be mentioned, 
but nothing which will cause embarrassment, or hurt the 
feelings of anyone should be mentioned. 

HALLOWEEN PACKING 

Each player names some article which was taken on a 
trip. The article which the first one names must begin with 
“II.” The one which the next one names must begin with 
"A,” etc. The only restriction as to the article is that it 
must be of a size that will go in an ordinary trunk. If the 
pla}^er cannot name an article in the time allowed, he must 
pay a forfeit. These forfeits are later redeemed by some 
suitable stunt. 


SELECTING PARTNERS 

A number of paper witches are provided. The heads are 
cut off of them and distributed among the girls. The lower 










PARTIES, SOCIALS, GAMES 


155 


parts of the witches are given to the boys. All then com¬ 
pare their figures and the two who have the parts that make 
one perfect witch are partners for the evening. 

Another novel way of selecting one’s partner is by provid¬ 
ing a large dish of uncooked navy beans. A girl is given 
a ruler with which she dips into the dish and draws out as 
many beans as possible. A boy is then given the ruler and 
he draws out as many beans as he can. As soon as a girl 
draws out as many beans as the boy, she becomes his partner; 
and when the boy draws out as many beans as the girl, they 
become partners. This continues until all are paired off. 

REFRESHMENTS 

The following refreshments are suitable for a Halloween 
party. 

Deviled eggs on lettuce leaves 
Nut and date sandwiches 
Coffee or 
Fruit punch 

Sponge cake with fudge frosting 
Chocolate chip ice cream 
or 

Lemon ice 

THE HALLOWEEN SOCIAL 

Halloween is an ideal time for sponsoring a social, either 
by a school or a church. It is a time equally suitable for 
granges and lodges to have social parties. 

The advertisements of the event may be made of orange 
paper. Lettering is done in black India ink, or with a print¬ 
ing press such as is used with the primary children of most 
schools. Pictures of witches, cats, owls, etc., are used on 
each poster. The advertisements should give some hint of 


156 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


what is to take place at the social, but most not give entire 
information. If the undertaking is to be a money-making 
affair, considerable advertising should be done. 

The room in which the social is held is attractively dec¬ 
orated in orange and black. Crepe paper curtains of those 
colors are placed on the windows. These curtains are made 
b}' using inch-wide strips of alternate colors. Each strip is 
held tightly in the left hand and pinched together in places 
one inch apart, first to the right and then to the left. This 
gives the strip the appearance of being composed of numer¬ 
ous circular pieces of paper and is very attractive when 
placed at the window. The valences and tie-backs are made 
of orange paper and are decorated with black cats, witches 
and owls. 

Streamers of black and orange crepe paper are strung 
across the room. Orange and green balloons are hung from 
these streamers. The touch of green will give a little differ¬ 
ent and a very attractive touch to the room. If balloons are 
not available, Chinese lanterns of the same colors may be 
made and hung from the streamers. 

The centerpiece of the room is composed of a great pump¬ 
kin, made of crepe paper. Sections of the crepe paper are 
cut and then sewed together, to give the pumpkin the proper 
shape. Green leaves are near the top of it. The pumpkin is 
stuffed with cotton or paper. 

A broom dressed up as a witch is placed in one corner of 
the room and a ghost occupies another corner. The lights 
should be rather dim throughout the room, except on the 
stage, where footlights afford the best light. If footlights 
cannot be had, a light placed on each side of the stage near 
the front affords the best light. A light behind the actors 
makes their faces appear dark. 


PARTIES, SOCIALS, GAMES 


157 


If it is a school social, attractive posters made by the chil¬ 
dren are placed about the walls. The background of these 
posters should be black, orange or green. Witches and cats 
are placed in the windows. 

The sides and back of the stage have cornstalks arranged 
along them to represent the cornfield. Pumpkins are placed 
between the cornstalks and a scarecrow completes the scene. 
A full moon is hung above the Center Back of stage. 

Besides the admission charge, which entitles one to see 
the program, there are various appropriate ways of making 
money at a Halloween social. Below are listed a number 
that have proven successful. 

THE CANDY GUESS 

A pint jar is .filled with black and orange candy beans. 
The number of beans in the jar is written on a slip, placed 
in a small sealed envelope and put in the jar. Each player is 
then asked to guess how many candies are enclosed. A charge 
of five or ten cents is made for each guess. When the social 
is nearly over the jar is opened, the slip taken out, and the 
player who has guessed the nearest number, wins the jar of 
candy. 

WITCHES’ BOOTH 

A witches’ booth may be provided in one corner of the 
room. Three girls dressed as witches are seated within this. 
One person enters at a time and extends his palm to each 
of the three who tell him something of his future. The girls 
wear masks, so they will not be recognized. If there are but 
few girls, one witch will suffice. 

The fortunes may be something like the following and they 
may be written on slips of paper beforehand, if desired. 


158 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


1. Your future is full of ups and downs. It looks as if 
you might have to pump much water. 

2. You are lucky in love. That is why you have never 
married. 

3. Watch your step this winter. Icy roads are forecast. 

4. Speak courteously to the next dark complexioned per¬ 
son you meet, but don’t believe anything that person tells 
you. 

5. I see money involved in your future. You may oper¬ 
ate a cash register soon. 

A large number of foolish futures such as the above may 
be prepared. 

THE HEADLESS GHOST 

A great many small articles have been collected and 
wrapped, as they would be for an ordinary grab bag. One 
person wrapped in white is placed in a booth. A ten-cent 
charge is made of those who wish to see the headless ghost. 
When the player enters the booth, the ghost is seen to be 
holding something at its side. Suddenly it tosses the pack¬ 
age to the visitor. The package contains the article he is 
to receive for his money. An entrance and an exit should 
be arranged in this booth, so the visitors may just pass 
through in front of the ghost. 

HARVEST PICTURE 

A medium-sized, framed harvest picture is selected. Nu¬ 
merous small pumpkins are cut from paper and the number 
of seeds supposed to be in each pumpkin is written on the 
back of them. One pumpkin which has the same number 
on it as one of the other pumpkins is fastened on the back of 
the picture. 

The small pumpkins are then sold among the audience. 


PARTIES, SOCIALS, GAMES 


159 


Each person is allowed to pick out the number he wishes. 
When the pumpkins are all sold, the one is taken from the 
back of the picture. The person having the pumpkin with 
the same number on it as is on the one on the back of the 
picture, receives the picture. 

REFRESHMENTS 

Candy and popcorn balls are sold by the children through¬ 
out the evening. Taffy apples are always a popular item. 

Doughnuts, pumpkin pie and coffee are sold at a lunch 
stand. These can be furnished by the parents if it is a school 
social. Sunshine cake with fudge frosting and chocolate ice 
cream may also be sold. 

HALLOWEEN GAMES 

TAG THE WITCH 

One child is chosen for the witch, but the others do not 
know which one it is. The one in charge of the game does 
the selecting. The one in charge tells a story, while all move 
in a circle around her. When she says “Tag the witch,” 
the one who has been chosen for the witch calls, “Help! 
help \” and starts to run to the chosen goal. When the oth¬ 
ers discover which one the witch is, they pursue her. The 
one who catches her is in charge of the next game. She 
whispers something into each one’s ear, but she tells the 
one who is. to be the witch that she is to be the one to call, 
“Help! help!” 

ROLL THE BEANS 

White chalk lines are drawn on the floor or strips of white 
paper laid down to mark the lines. Four children are given 
rulers and a jelly bean. The bean is placed at one end of the 


100 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


line. Two start from one side and two from the other. The 
one that rolls the bean over the line to the opposite end of 
it first, wins that game. As many games are played as there 
are sets of four. The winners of the games then play to 
determine the championship. The bean must touch every 
part of the line. The length of the line depends upon the 
size of the children, but usually about six feet is correct. 
For larger children, curves and angles may be inserted in the 
lines, but care must be taken to make each of the four lines 
as difficult to travel as the others, so all players will have a 
fair chance. A box of jelly beans is given as a prize to the 
winner. 

TREASURE HUNT 

Black and orange candies, candy pumpkins, witches, cats, 
etc., are hidden about the room. The children are given a 
certain length of time in which to look for the candy. Those 
having the fewest pieces at the end of that time are given 
additional ones. The one having the most pieces is given a 
candy pig. 

FORTUNE TELLING 

A number of fortunes are written on pieces of paper and 
dropped in a box. A number of small sticks have thread 
tied to the end of them and a pin that has been bent almost 
in two is placed on the end of the thread or cord. A number 
of these are given to the children at once and all try to fish 
out a fortune. When one gets his fortune he reads it aloud 
and gives his fishing rod to some one else. 

CAT TAIL 

Another old game is to have a large cat made of paper 
and pinned on the curtain. Each child is blindfolded in 


PARTIES, SOCIALS, GAMES 


161 


turn and given a paper tail and a pin. The one who pins 
the tail nearest the place where it belongs is given a prize. 

APPLE GAME 

An apple is hung from a cord suspended in the doorway. 
Each child attempts to take a bite of the apple without touch¬ 
ing it with his hands. Those who succeed in doing so are 
given a taffy apple. After the contest is over, those who 
have not succeeded in getting a bite are also given the apple 
for a consolation prize. 

BOBBING FOR APPLES 

Bobbing for apples is a favorite Halloween sport. Apples 
are placed in a tub of water and players must catch them 
with their teeth with hands held behind. This practice may 
be varied by hanging the apples in a doorway or from the 
ceiling. Tiny sacks of flour hung up with the apples add to 
the fun, as the players are apt to be hit in the face with 
the flour sacks. This may be used as a fortune telling game, 
by pinning to each apple a tiny note in which is written a 
rhyme. 

APPLE-SEED GAME 

The Apple-Seed Game is also a fortune telling game. The 
.seeds are previously soaked in wat^r and then flavored with 
spices, or sweetened with sugar, rolled in pepper or dipped 
in vinegar, etc. Each seed is then wrapped in tissue paper 
and passed to the guests. Each one must taste the seed in 
the paper he chooses, to see what may be the disposition of 
his future mate, sweet, sour, quick tempered, etc. 

BLOWING OUT THE CANDLE 

Blowing out the Candle is an old game for this occasion. 
A lighted candle is placed upon a table. One of the players 


162 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


is blindfolded, turned around once or twice and then told to 
blow out the candle. 

THE RING CAKE 

The Ring Cake is always enjoyed for a Halloween party. 
A finger ring, a thimble, a key and a dime, one or all of 
these, may be baked in a cake. The ones who draw the 
pieces of the cake containing these articles learn their fate 
thus: The ring stands for a wedding, the thimble for work, 
the dime for wealth, the key for a journey. 

DIGGING FOR NUGGETS 
“Digging for Nuggets” is the name of a favorite game. 
Place in a tub of sand, if it can be obtained, bits of candy 
wrapped in tissue paper, as many as there are players to 
take part. With each piece is a “fortune” written on a tiny 
slip of paper. The players are supplied with little wooden 
paddles, with which to “dig” for the “nuggets.” When all 
the “nuggets” have been found, the fortunes may be read by 
the finders. 

HALLOWEEN HIDE-AND-SEEK 
A Halloween pastime that occasions much jollity is the 
“Halloween Hide-and-Seek” game. Various articles appro¬ 
priate to the occasion are.concealed about the house, such as 
cardboard witches, owls, jack-o’-lanterns, black cats, bats, for 
the players to find. A score is kept of each one’s findings, 
witches to count 5; owls, 4; jack-o’-lanterns, 3, etc. There 
is also a white cat hidden and whoever finds this will have 
to forfeit 10 on the score card. Prizes of rag dolls or paste¬ 
board dolls of Halloween types may be given. 

MIND-READING 

The Mind Reading Game will puzzle young heads until 


PARTIES, SOCIALS, GAMES 


163 


the trick is shown. One of the players, Alice, we may call 
her, is to leave the room and the hostess tells the other guests 
that when she returns she will be able to read the thoughts 
of those present. The players choose some object which the 
absent one is to discover. Suppose they decide upon a pic¬ 
ture. When Alice returns, the hostess asks her a number of 
questions, to which she replies. For instance: 

“Is it the table?” 

“No.” 

“Is it the piano?” 

“No.” 

“Is it the bookcase?” 

“No.” 

“Is it the fireplace?” 

“No.” 

“Is it the radio?” 

“No.” 

“Is it the picture?” 

“Yes.” 

The players are usually completely mystified. The hostess 
explains that it was agreed between herself and Alice that 
when she mentioned an object that was stationary, such as 
the wall or the fireplace, the second object named after this 
would be the right one. 

THE PERILOUS PATH 

A very old game is played with enjoyment by boys and 
girls and may be called “The Perilous Path.” The goal is 
at one end of the room and between it and the players are 
strewn on the floor various objects such as sofa pillows, 
cushions, footstools, etc. The contestants are admitted one 
by one, and shown the pathway with the obstructions to the 



164 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


goal. Then the contestant is blindfolded, turned about sev¬ 
eral times and told to start on the “perilous path.” Others 
in the secret have stepped ahead quietly and they remove the 
obstructions. When the contestant reaches the goal the 
blindfold is removed and he sees that his way was clear. 
Then he sits down to watch the next contestant travel the 
same “perilous path.” The fun consists in the high stepping 
and groping movements of the contestants. 

COSTUME CONTEST 

Halloween parties may be enlivened by requesting guests 
to come in costumes as witches, gnomes, pixies, black cats, 
owls, etc., and wearing masks. Then a guessing contest may 
be held, all participating, in the effort to determine the iden¬ 
tity of the others. The ones having the highest scores may 
be given prizes of fairy wands, pasteboard owls, witches, etc. 

THE CONSPIRATORS 

Another mind reading game may be played with two “con¬ 
spirators” working together. One whom we shall call George 
claims to be a mind reader and asks for a test. The other, 
whom we may call Henry, suggests that the guests each write 
a few words on a piece of paper to be offered as tests. The 
pieces of paper are placed with the writing downward on the 
table, Henry being careful to place his paper last, or in a 
manner agreed upon previously with George and not notice¬ 
able to other players. George already knows what Henry is 
to write. He is careful to pick up Henry’s paper last. He 
closes his eyes and picks a paper from the table and places 
it on his forehead, the blank side toward the audience. Then 
he appears to read from the paper what Henr}' has written. 
Henry at once acknowledges this as his writing. George 
opens his eyes and glances casually at the writing as if to 


PARTIES, SOCIALS, GAMES 


165 


verify the message. He reads what is written there, and uses 
these words for the next “reading,” etc., Henry’s being read 
last. 

The players usually are completely mystified as to how the 
trick is performed. 

FORTUNES 

Fortune telling games have been used in Halloween cele¬ 
brations from time immemorial. “Fortunes,” that is, bits of 
verse or jokes, may be written in milk or in lemon juice to 
make the writing invisible. One is passed to each guest, who 
cannot see the writing. Presented to the “witch,” who may 
be disguised and costumed comically for the part, she reads 
them after passing them over a candle flame, which turns 
the letters brown or at least makes the writing visible. There 
will usually be one player adapted to this part more than 
others, who may have the happy faculty of “telling fortunes” 
in fun. 

Another fortune telling game is played by searching for 
hidden articles. A ring indicates marriage, a thimble work, 
a key a journey, a penny -wealth. 

GUESS WHO 

Guess Who is a game that will entertain Halloween guests. 
A sheet or curtain is hung before the company. An aperture 
is made just large enough for a pair of eyes to look through. 
Under the direction of a master of ceremonies one of a group 
behind the curtain then looks through. It is for the com¬ 
pany seated on the other side to guess whose eyes looked 
through the aperture. Each may write a guess, and when 
several have looked through, tally of the guesses may be made 
and prizes awarded for the high scores. 


166 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


THE BABY SHOW 

The Baby Show can be relied upon to make merriment. 
Each one of a group brings his baby picture. The baby pic¬ 
tures are arranged on a table with numbers attached. It is 
for the guests to guess whom the pictures represent and 
prizes are given for the guesses nearest right. Also a prize 
may be given for the prettiest baby. The prizes should be 
rattles, dolls, toys, etc. 

SNAPDRAGON 

Snapdragon is an old pastime for Halloween. A little 
brandy or alcohol is placed in a dish and ignited. Care 
should be taken to have the dish in the center of a bare table, 
so as to avoid fire hazard. When the alcohol flames up, 
lights are put out and salt is sprinkled in the dish. The 
resulting flame imparts an intense pallor to the faces of 
those around it. Raisins and candied fruits are then thrown 
into the dish and the group snaps for them with their 
fingers. Prizes may be awarded the successful “snappers.” 

PEANUT OR BEAN HUNT 

Peanut or Bean Hunt is another prize hunt game. Pea¬ 
nuts or beans are hidden about the room in every conceivable 
place for guests to find. Prizes awarded for high scores 
may be paper witches, black cats, ghosts and goblins, etc. 


HALLOWEEN PROGRAMS 


HALLOWEEN AT DANA 


Lois E. Dann, Dana Avenue School , Columbus, Ohio 

Things are so weird 
From what I’ve heerd, 

I’m skeered out in the dark, 

A skinny witch. 

Goblins and sich 
Are settin’ in the park. 

I’ve got the shakes 
And my heart quakes 
For what I might have seen. 

’Kase any spook 
Might stage a fluke 
On the night of Halloween. 

With little or no foundation, the greatest variety of shocks 
and surprises are eagerly anticipated for Halloween. It is a 
time of imagination and mystery. There seems to be in the 
air of October, whether the days be bright and snappy or 
dark and gloomy, something which suggests the time of 
owls and black cats and pumpkin heads. 

The questipn is sure to come, “When are we going to have 
our party?” 

Now teachers, sometimes, are sluggish individuals and are 
engrossed in many things. The first reaction is probably, 
“Oh, w T hy do we have to bother about Halloween?” 

The question of the children is insistent and continues to 

167 


168 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


bob up in different places. Broad hints are given concerning 
the costumes that will appear that Friday afternoon, and 
soon the problem is not shall we have a party, but when and 
how shall it be? Halloween is an established event at Dana. 

USE HAND-ME-DOWNS 

The matter of prime importance is costuming. That may 
sound extravagant at this time, but the problem is solved 
with enthusiasm. Of course, some mothers make something 
brand new, but there is a wealth of hand-me-downs and things 
are joyously shared. I don’t know anything which shows so 
much surprising individuality as the appearance of some of 
the children. Boys are dressed as girls. Girls are dressed as 
boys. Father’s old clothes make happy tramps, or perhaps 
one would do better to label them as scarecrows. There are 
many clowns and fairies. Young and old are depicted, as well 
as the halt and blind. Each wears a false face. 

It seemed for a time as though there was no way to get 
around the necessity of spending real money on the face or 
“domino.” The old idea of using a paper bag drawn over the 
head with a pumpkin face cut in it was suggested. One year 
a whole room made a grotesque procession with every one so 
masked. Some of the sacks stood a foot above the height of 
the child and made him appear comically out of proportion. 

STILLNESS REIGNS 

Outwardly the teachers are about as wild as the pupils. 
They meet their schools in the hall and pass to the classroom. 
The children take any seat except their own. A solemn still¬ 
ness reigns, because no one wants to be betrayed by his voice 
or laugh. Sometimes the masked teachers exchange rooms. 
Sometimes a tall girl acts as teacher. Everything is mystery. 


HALLOWEEN PROGRAMS 


169 


When everything is ready, if the weather is fine, we have a 
long parade—out through the front door, winding in and out 
across the grounds and in again through another door. Some¬ 
times the line of march takes us about the block. No one is 
invited, but all along the way are delighted spectators. 

Often we go through the building visiting each room, so 
that we can see the decorations. The cuttings and arrange¬ 
ments have been the work of the boys and girls and have af¬ 
forded great joy in the doing. The stillness which I men¬ 
tioned at first has long passed. The mob laughs and stamps. 
We used to have horns and whirligigs—but we are wiser now. 

Each class drops out of line when their classroom is reached. 
And then the party is the teacher’s problem. Generally it is 
a party without eating. There is great fun in bringing each 
child to the front of the room and guessing his identity—• 
which by this time is no secret. Splendid effects are admired. 
Often there are stories told as we learn how the parts were 
assembled. 

Fortunately there is not much time left now. We tell rid¬ 
dles and play games suggested by some child or something 
planned by the teacher. I always like to have handkerchief 
brownies. They work so nicely with the story of the “Shoe¬ 
maker and the Elves.” 

I will tell you how I make the dolls, although I doubt 
whether I make them correctly. Tie a knot in each corner 
of the handkerchief. Take adjacent corners in each hand 
and twirl the handkerchief until the two stiff “legs” meet. 
This meeting, of course, is the “hips” and a pin should 
be stuck through to hold it firmly. The other knots are the 
“arms.” Halfway between make the “head” by tying a black 
thread around a loop of the handkerchief. The girl wears a 
short tissue paper skirt and the boy a sash. In a darkened 


170 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


room the white clollies show, while the black thread, by which 
you manipulate the dance, does not. Every one learns how 
to make brownies and they are a feature of the home fes¬ 
tivities. 

There is a well-established belief that teachers are old and 
don’t know how to have any fun. After the Fall party I have 
seen a new look of understanding and fellowship in browu 
eyes and blue which amply pays for any trouble the party 
has been. 


—The Ohio Teacher 


HALLOWEEN PROGRAMS 


171 


A HALLOWEEN CORNER 

Edna Steen, New Paltz, New York 

Halloween! What a time in the lives of children! Witches 
—Jack-o’-Lanterns— Fun ! In the third grade we decided to 
have an extra amount of fun; we should have a “Halloween 
Corner” and in it a witch, cats, owls, hats, jack-o’-lanterns 
and a moon; and a tree to house the birds and animals, 
and a brewing kettle to complete a witch’s happiness. Sixteen 
boys and girls, each eager to create a part, gave impetus to 
the work. 

The witch was to be made of corn stalks supplied by a 
farmer-father. Three pumpkins were donated, and the days 
for actual work arrived, with socialized periods and each child 
solving his problem. 

Plain yellow pumpkins became grinning or sober jack-o’- 
lanterns. Cardboard found itself being pencilled into weird 
looking cats, owls, or bats. After much self-criticism, boys 
and girls snip-snipped them into life. The brewing kettle 
and the moon took shape in a similar way. 

Animals, birds, and moon were then painted. A silvery 
moon, black cats with orange eyes and whiskers, black owls 
with orange eyes, or orange owls with black eyes, as the fancy 
suited a child. Bats ran true to type and grew realistic in 
their blackness. The brewing kettle was painted a dull black 
with a gorgeous blue, red, and orange flame glowing up its 
side. 

Cornstalks gradually took the shape of a witch after strong 
cord had developed a waistline and a stronger cord had sepa¬ 
rated head from neck. A black cardboard hat sat at a “witch¬ 
ing angle” on her head, and cornstalk arms held a witch’s 
stick. 

Owing to limited time, a tree standard, with natural 


172 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


branches, was made by the student teacher. A couple of chil¬ 
dren were “tree specialists,” covering the standard with 
wrapping paper “bark,” then painting the “trunk” and 
branches a dark brown. 

Each child—or groups of two—had a part to do in the 
making of the corner. Suggestions or help were freely given 
each other if necessary and each had a voice in the final ar¬ 
rangement of things. Halloween was a reality in the third- 
grade room. 

—The School Arts Magazine 


A SUGGESTED PROGRAM 

FOR A 

Halloween Entertainment 


page 

Reception and Introduction of Guests 


The Story of Halloween. 173 

Song: Glad Halloween. 141 

Recitations: 

Halloween Welcome . 9 

The Unbeliever . 12 

Jolly Halloween. 15 

Pantomime: The Little Goblin Elves. 136 

Drill: The Clothespin Quickstep. 128 

Song: The Boy and the Owl. 145 

Dance: Dance of Indian Summer. 125 

Play: Who Made the Pie?.,.97 

Games: Select list from pages.159-166 

Supper: See suggestions on pages.155, 159 














THE STORY OF HALLOWEEN 


The story of Halloween takes us into very old times, into 
what we call prehistoric times, in fact, when another race 
lived in the British Isles. These people were called Celts. 
Among them was a religious order known as the Druids, who 
were physicians and sages and even magicians, as well as 
priests. They worshipped a sun god whom they called Baal 
and sacrificial fires were kindled in his honor. A festival 
which these Druidic priests celebrated in the late fall was 
called Samhain, which means, “the end of summer.” It 
was in the nature of a harvest festival and the modern prac¬ 
tice in England and in our country of making bonfires to 
celebrate Halloween harks back to the ancient custom of 
fire worship of these pagan priests. 

One of the superstitions that have come down the ages 
was that on this night of the harvest festival spirits of the 
dead were allowed to walk abroad. It was thought also that 
fairies, sprites, goblins and gnomes came from their haunts 
in the forests on this night and played mischievous pranks. 
The people believed that the sacred fires acted as a charm 
to keep away evil spirits and evil spells. Thus the custom 
of kindling bonfires at the time of the harvest festival con¬ 
tinued among the English people long after the Druids had 
been driven out of the country. Beliefs still prevalent among 
the peasantry of Scotland, Ireland and Wales concerning 
elves and fairies supposed to inhabit forests and glens are 
traditions of the old Celtic superstitions. 

Fire worship in fact has characterized the religious rites 
of primitive peoples generally and the Roman harvest festival 

173 


174 


THE BEST HALLOWEEN BOOK 


was the occasion of the burning of sacrificial fires. The 
deities of fire and water were supposed to be propitiated in 
this manner, Pomona was the mythical goddess of the 
harvest and the festival was held in her honor. The winter 
store of apples and nuts were opened at this time. The 
Roman festival has also influenced the customs of our Hal¬ 
loween celebration and thus we have games and pastimes 
which feature apples and nuts, as well as bonfires. 

When Christianity was introduced into England the church 
changed the names of the old pagan festivals. The harvest 
festival formerly known as Samhain, was called All Hallow 
Eve, because it occurred on the eve of All Saints’ Day, which 
was November first. Thus the name of Halloween is taken 
from the date. 

The pagan rites and practices of an earlier era are re¬ 
called to-day only in the fun and frolic of the boys and girls 
who delight in games and pastimes appropriate to the occa¬ 
sion. Fortune telling, spooky costumes, bonfires, jack-o’- 
lanterns, witches and black cats, all and sundry and many 
other odd qonceits are but humorous echoes of forgotten 
superstitions and the customs growing out of them. The 
variety and comic weirdness of the harmless pastimes charac¬ 
teristic of the Halloween celebration make this occasion the 
jolliest in the list of annual special days. Modern enlight¬ 
enment has done away with the old superstitious fictions 
and follies in all but the flavor they lend to this delightful 
playtime of the harvest season. 



























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